ORGANIZED
fraternal bodies have long been an important factor in the social life
of Trenton. The first of them dates back to before the Revolution, when
some of the city's most distinguished men united to establish the Grand
Lodge of Masons in New Jersey. Informal fraternal groups apparently
predominated in the early days, and the reason for this is clear. There
were numerous taverns existing here during the years when Trenton was
growing from just a small-sized village into a larger town, and in their
public rooms the men of that day assembled for recreation and the exchange
of political, financial and social news of the day. Consequently there
was little need at that time for the formation of clubs or societies.

As the town
grew, however, and the population increased, activities became more
varied and extensive. Then men of similar tastes and interests began
to draw together into regular organizations. Earliest among these of
which there seems to be any record, apart from the Masonic body, were
the singing societies, organized by the music-loving German citizens.
Since then, Trenton has had many clubs, social, fraternal, patriotic,
civic and, not least in importance, the women's cultural, social and
service organizations.

II. The Masonic Order

MASONIC
history, not merely in New Jersey, but in America, appears to have had
its beginnings in Trenton. When, in 1730, upon the request of Masons
living in the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the
Grand Lodge of England granted a deputation for the first provincial
grand master of Masons in America, it was upon a Trentonian, Colonel
Daniel Coxe, that the honor was conferred. Again, in 1786, when the
Grand Lodge of New Jersey was formed, it was one of Trenton's most distinguished
citizens, Chief Justice David Brearley who was selected as grand master.
Since then through all the years to the present time, residents of New
Jersey's capital have had an important part in the affairs of the order.

Thomas Howard,
Duke of Norfolk, grand master of Masons in England, in 1730, in acceding
to the request of the New-World Masons for a provincial grand master,
had selected for this high office Daniel Coxe, son of Dr. Daniel Coxe,
one of the proprietors of West Jersey, a medical man and physician to
Charles II. The deputation to Coxe was given at London, June 5, 1730.
According to Masonic antiquarians, this deputation, of which the original
record is in England, and a copy in this country, establishes the fact
that Daniel Coxe was really the first appointed provincial grand master
of Masons in the New World. Henry Price, provincial grand master of
Massachusetts, did not receive his deputation until three years later,
it is contended, - in April 1733. Furthermore Coxe is referred to in
the records of the Grand Lodge of England in 1731 as the "Provincial
Grand Master of North America."

No records
have been found either in England or America of any exercise of authority
by Coxe, nor of anyone acting under his authority. It is believed that
he simply did not make any report of the appointment of a deputy grand
master or grand wardens, nor of the congregating of Masons into lodges.
This was not an unusual circumstance, for it was not until 1768 that
names of members of lodges abroad were sent to England.

The New
Jersey Grand Lodge was established at a meeting held December 1786,
in New Brunswick, and David Brearley was elected right worshipful grand
master. Chosen at the same time as deputy grand master was Robert Lettis
Hooper, also of Trenton, vice-president of the Legislative Council of
New Jersey. Both served the ancient order in these capacities for several
years, Brearley until 1790 and Hooper until 1792. Maskell Ewing, of
Trenton, then clerk of the General Assembly of New Jersey, was elected
deputy grand secretary.

During the
grand mastership of David Brearley, the first lodge in Trenton was formed
and justice Brearley was himself a member. The early records of this
lodge, known then and now as Trenton Lodge No. 5, are replete with information
of interest to all students of local and Masonic history.

Grand Master
Brearley, on July 4, 1787, issued a dispensation for the lodge, which
was the fifth in the State. The dispensation was directed to Aaron Dickinson
Woodruff. According to a minute of the lodge David Brearley, grand master,
William Liddell, senior grand warden, Aaron Dickinson Woodruff and Anthony
Reckless, master masons, assembled August 3, 1787, and a "Master
Mason's Lodge was opened in due form." At a meeting ten days later,
officers were appointed. They were: Aaron Dickinson Woodruff, worshipful
master; Robert Lettis Hooper, senior warden; Thomas Bullman, junior
warden; Hezekiah Stites Woodruff, Anthony Reckless and Maskell Ewing,
secretary. The lodge continued under dispensation until December 20,
1787, when the Grand Lodge, meeting at New Brunswick, issued a warrant
for the lodge to Aaron D. Woodruff, master, Thomas Bullman, senior warden
and Anthony Reckless, junior warden.

The one hundredth
anniversary of Trenton Lodge was observed December 27, 1887. The Grand
Lodge members attended, and Grand Master Robert M. Moore, Most Worshipful
Past Grand Master Henry R. Cannon, historian of Grand Lodge, Past Master
Lewis Parker, Past Master Barton B. Hutchinson and Right Worshipful
Senior Grand Warden Jonathan M. Harris gave addresses. A banquet at
the American House concluded the ceremonies.

On April
3, 1924, the Grand Lodge met at Trenton, for the purpose of unveiling
a tablet in memory of Most Worshipful Brother David Brearley. The members
proceeded to St. Michael's Episcopal Church where the Bishop-Coadjutor
the Right Rev. Albion W. Knight, the Rev. Samuel Steinmetz, rector of
the Church and David McGregor, of Union Lodge No. 11, gave addresses.

OTHER LODGES INSTITUTED

Application
for the second lodge in Trenton was presented January 4, 1858, by Edward
W. Scudder, to whom the privilege of withdrawing from Trenton .Lodge
No. 5, to form the new lodge, was granted. Mr. Scudder became worshipful
master of the new body, known as Mercer Lodge No. 50. Egbert
H. Grandin was elected senior warden and John R. S. Barnes, junior warden.
Its warrant was issued January 13, 1858.

The third
lodge instituted in Trenton was Ashlar Lodge No. 76, which received
its warrant January 18, 1866. The first officers were: James S. Aitkin,
worshipful master; Dr. W. W. L. Phillips, senior warden; and Edward
T. Green, junior warden.

The warrant
of Column Lodge No. 120 is dated January 18, 1872, and its first
officers were James Nicklin, worshipful master; Levi I. Bibbins, senior
warden; and Lewis C. Wooley, junior warden.

Fraternal
Lodge No. 139, whose warrant was granted January 21, 1875, had as its
first officers: John G. Box, worshipful master; Robert Stewart, senior
warden; and George W. Thomas, junior warden.

The Past
Masters' Association of Trenton Lodge No. 5 is composed of former presiding
officers of the lodge. As soon as they have completed their terms of
office, the past masters automatically become members of the Association.

It is the
custom of the association to hold one meeting a year, which takes the
form of a dinner. This is generally held on St. John's Day.

YORK RITE MASONRY

York Rite
Masonry in Trenton has the following units Three Times Three Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons; Gebal Council No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine
Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar; New Jersey Grand Council, Royal and
Select Masters; and Grand Commandery, Knights Templar.

THREE
TIMES THREE CHAPTER NO. 5, R.A.M.

The Three
Times Three Chapter No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, had its beginning in 1858,
when the Most Excellent Grand High Priest William H. Doggett granted
a dispensation to James N. Van Antwerp, Charles H. Higginson and Thomas
J. Corson. Work was begun on this and continued until the meeting of
the Grand Chapter at Burlington, September 8, 1858. At that time a warrant
was granted to Mr. Higginson, Mr. Corson and John Woolverton.

Members of
the chapter at its organization were James N. Van Antwerp, most excellent
high priest; Charles H. Higginson, excellent king; Thomas J. Corson,
scribe; Charles L. Pearson, secretary; William R. Clapp, treasurer;
John Woolverton, John F. Houdayer, John P. Nelson, William Eccles and
Harper Crozer.

GEBAL
COUNCIL NO. 3, R.A.M.

Records of
the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, under date of March 16, 1860, show
that Alfred Creigh, grand master, granted a dispensation to constitute
Gebal Council No. 14, of this city. He appointed Thomas J. Corson as
thrice illustrious grand master; Joseph H. Hough as deputy illustrious
grand master; William R. Clapp as principal conductor of the work; Harper
Crozer as treasurer; and John O. Raum as recorder.

In 1862,
Gebal Council began to hold meetings in rooms of Trenton Lodge No. 5,
F. and A.M. Later, in 1866, meetings were held in rooms of the Three
Times Three Chapter.

Interest
lagged for several years. In 1877, a resolution was presented before
the Grand Council of New Jersey to consider the question of disbanding
this body as a distinct Masonic organization. A motion was also made
to have Gebal Council surrender its charter, but through the opposition
of a few members, this was indefinitely postponed.

In 1881 and
1882 drastic steps were taken to revive Gebal Council, and this movement
resulted in new applications for membership and later in a revision
of the by-laws.

In July 1885,
Gebal Council moved to the then new Masonic Temple, and conducted its
meetings in the rooms of the Three Times Three Chapter and Palestine
Commandery, K.T. From 1891 to 1900, the council declined once more,
but from then until now the organization has recovered itself and has
steadily prospered.

Increasing
membership brought up questions of enlarged quarters, and in 1911 a
committee was appointed to confer with committees of other Masonic bodies
on the matter of a new temple for the sole use of the Masonic organizations
in Trenton. Out of this movement and similar action on the part of other
Masonic groups resulted the present temple at Willow and Front Streets.

Cryptic Masonry
in New Jersey seems to have begun with the establishment of three subordinate
Councils, Kane No. 11, of Newark, New Brunswick No. 12, of New Brunswick,
and Gebal No. 14, of Trenton. These, chartered by the jurisdictions
of New York and Pennsylvania, united to form the Grand Council of New
Jersey.

Trentonians
who have been among the grand masters of the Grand Council, Royal and
Select Masters of New Jersey, are:

Since its
organization five Trentonians have been head of the Grand Commandery,
which was formed February 14, 1860, at Burlington, N.J. William H. Doggett
was the first grand commander, and the Trentonians who have succeeded
to this post are: T. J. Corson, 1861; Dr. John Woolverton, 1868; James
McCain, 1895; William P. Hayes, 1915; and William M. Muschert, 1923.

Residents
of Trenton who have been chosen to the post of grand recorders of the
Commandery are: C. G. Milnor, who served 1860-62; T. J. Corson, 1862-78;
G. B. Edwards, 1879; Charles Bechtel, 1880-1903; T. H. R. Redway, 1904-08;
and John M. Wright, 1908 and still serving.

ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE

The Scottish
Rite branch of the Masonic order in Trenton consists of Mercer Grand
Lodge of Perfection; Mercer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Trenton Chapter
of Rose Croix; and the Trenton Consistory.

William R.
Clapp was the first sovereign prince of the Mercer Council, Princes
of Jerusalem, organized May 19, 1864. The other original officers
were: David Naar, deputy master; William T. Nicholson, senior warden;
John F. Houdayer, junior warden; and Joseph H. Hough, secretary.

Trenton
Chapter of Rose Croix was formed
April 17, 1868, with Charles Bechtel as most wise master. Those who
served with him were: William T. Nicholson, senior warden; William R.
Clapp, junior warden; Thomas J. Corson, orator; John O. Raum, treasurer;
and Joseph H. Hough, secretary.

The idea
of the formation of Crescent Temple originated with an enthusiastic
group of Shriners, mostly members of Lu Lu Temple, of Philadelphia,
who had formed a Shrine Club in this city before there was a temple
in New Jersey.

CRESCENT TEMPLE

In 1902 Salaam
Temple was formed at Newark and given jurisdiction over the entire State.
All candidates were required to go there for initiation. In December
1903 a meeting of the Trenton Shrine Club was called by Dr. Charles
P. Britton, the president, for the purpose of making application for
a charter for a temple to be located at Trenton, to be known as Crescent
Temple. A petition was presented to the Imperial Council meeting held
in Atlantic City July 14, 1904, at which time a dispensation was granted
for the formation of the temple. Dr. Edwin H. Ginnelley was designated
as the first illustrious potentate. On November 14, a meeting was held
to select officers for the institution of the temple which resulted
in the following elections:

The temple
was instituted under dispensation November 17, 1904, by George
W. Weidenmayer, of Salaam Temple and the first class of candidates,
seventy-eight in number, was initiated.

On June 23,
1905, the dispensation was surrendered and a regular charter granted.
The following September 14, the temple was fully constituted, Potentate
George Weidenmayer again acting as special deputy for the imperial potentate.
At this time there were 332 charter members. Meetings were held in the
Masonic Temple at State and Warren Streets until June 24, 1916, when
the present Crescent Temple Mosque was completed and dedicated. At this
time there were 1405 members and the building was considered large enough
for all time to come.

The growth
of the organization has been remarkable and for several years the officers
have realized that a larger mosque must be provided. As a result a new
mosque is now in the course of construction, which will be one of the
largest for strictly .Shrine purposes in North America, with a seating
capacity for approximately four thousand persons, a banquet hall which
will seat two thousand six hundred at one time, a stage 60 x 75 feet
and other facilities in proportion. There are at the present time about
seven thousand five hundred members on the roster.

From an
old custom of Masons of New Jersey, who were members of the Grand Lodge,
the Tall Cedars of Lebanon originated.

David H.
Lukens was the founder of the order in Trenton, having suggested that
a Trenton Forest be established here, after he had been given the degree
elsewhere. The Supreme Forest of Tall Cedars was incorporated March
18, 1902, and the first session was held in this city, February 6, 1903.

The Tall
Cedars is composed exclusively of Blue Lodge Masons.

MASONIC TEMPLES

Trenton
has had three Masonic Temples. The latest one dedicated March 1, 1927,
stands on the site of the first temple, erected in 1793 at Front and
Willow Streets, by Trenton Lodge No. 5. Much of the history of the Masonic
temples in Trenton is inseparably linked up with this lodge.

THE FIRST TEMPLE

Minutes
of the old lodge reveal that for some time after organization meetings
apparently were held at the homes of the various members, but in 1789
it was felt that the lodge was growing to such a size that suitable
quarters should be obtained for it.

In 1792 a
committee composed of Aaron D. Woodruff, Richard Howell, Isaac DeCou
and Bernard Hanlon was appointed to report on the expediency of building
a hall or lodge room for use of the organization, together with an estimate
of its cost. The committee reported favorably April 2, and another committee
was appointed to devise means of raising funds to pay for the new building.

In 1793,
Mark Thompson, of Harmony Lodge No. 8, Newton, Sussex County, gave to
Trenton Lodge No. 5 a plot of ground in Barrack Street, now known as
Willow Street. Mr. Thompson was father-in-law of Mr. Woodruff, first
master of Trenton Lodge. In view of this gift, plans were prepared for
the proposed building, and Mr. Woodruff, with Messrs. Richard Howell,
Stockton, Ewing and DeKlyn, was named as a committee for this purpose.
The committee reported plans for a building costing~approximately £376,
15s, 10d, or about $1,900.

The lodge
was, it seems, financially able to appropriate £100 toward the
building, and the Grand Lodge appropriated £75. Subscriptions
had been pledged amounting to £185 15s., making a total of £364
15s. It was decided that with this amount available, the work on the
building should proceed.

On August
19, 1793, the committee announced that everything was in readiness for
the laying of the cornerstone which occurred at "high twelve,"
August 26.

Nineteen
years later, Trenton Lodge felt the need for larger quarters, and inquiry
was made as to the feasibility of enlarging the hall, but nothing apparently
was done at that time.

In January
1827 the matter of the lodge building was once more before the organization,
and consideration was given to the purchase of a lot on which to erect
a Masonic Temple, but nothing definite was done until many years had
elapsed.

In 1842 a
tract of land in the rear of the hall was bought for $207.90, presumably
for an addition, but no progress was made evidently because of financial
difficulties.

At its April
meeting 1860, Trenton Lodge No. 5 unanimously resolved that the worshipful
master, on behalf of the trustees of the lodge, should subscribe $2,000to the Masonic Hall
Association for one hundred shares of stock, for the construction of
a new building. The only result, however,was the building of
a brick addition on the side of the old building.

At the meeting
May 6, 1867, a committee was again named to seek more suitable quarters,
and John Taylor, a member, offered a long lease for the third floor
of Taylor Hall, later known as Taylor Opera House. The lease was taken
for five years, and the new rooms were dedicated December 9, 1867, by
Most Worshipful Grand Master Silas Whitehead.

The committee
reported January 6, 1868, that the old lodge property had been sold.
The ancient building passed into friendly hands, and one of the best-known
free schools was established there. Thomas J. Macpherson, father of
judge George W. Macpherson, was master of the school, which he conducted
in this building for five years.

THE SECOND TEMPLE

Some years
after Trenton Lodge had located in the Taylor Opera House, a committee,
composed of William D. Sinclair and Charles Bechtel, was appointed to
investigate the possibility of erecting a new temple. The cornerstone
of this second temple, at State and Warren Streets, was laid July 15,
1884, with the Grand .Lodge, Trenton lodges, and various other Masonic
organizations in this section of the country in attendance. The building
was finished in 1885, when the local lodges took possession of it.

When the
second temple was built, a stock company had been organized and shares
were sold to members. This proved to be a fatal mistake, for through
this very arrangement the fraternity was practically turned out of its
home. It was not realized when the stock in the building was sold originally
that, as the holders died, the stocks which did not pay any dividends
might be sold and.thus the control of the property would pass from the
hands of the Masonic organizations. This is exactly what happened, for
the Trenton Banking Company had been quietly buying up these shares
until it had a controlling interest. The purpose teas of course to acquire
the property as the site for the new home of the banking company.

THE NEW TEMPLE

When the
temple thus passed from the Masons, City Commissioner J. Ridgway Fell
led the movement for a new building. He obtained options on the Willow
and Front Street site and, with these options, one on the old First
Masonic Hall, then being used as an upholstering shop. The original
temple was bought in 1915 by a group of Masons, led by General W. F.
Sadler, Jr., and presented to Grand Lodge.

Each of the
incorporators held one share of Founders' Preferred Stock for $2,000
in perpetuity for his lodge, so that the new temple will never pass
from the lodges represented without dissolution of the Association and
without the consent of these organizations.

Subscriptions
were being successfully obtained for the new temple when the World War
intervened, and nothing more was done until June 4, 1921, when at a
meeting of all the representatives of the Masonic groups it was decided
to resume activities. In successive campaigns the sum of $800,000was raised to meet the cost of the temple. The cornerstone
was laid October 9, 1926.Governor A. Harry Moore, of New Jersey, gave the main
address. The building was finished and formally opened February 28,1928.

THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR

The Order
of the Eastern Star is composed of women whose male relatives are members
of the Masonic order, and there are five chapters in Trenton.

THE Independent
Order of Odd Fellows was formed in this country in 1819, under the leadership
of Thomas Wildey, the first lodge being self-instituted by five men
who held membership in the parent body in England. On April 26,
1819, they formed Washington Lodge
No. 1, at Baltimore, Md., and this lodge is still flourishing. The order
is not an insurance society; it is not primarily a beneficial society.
Its primary object is and always has been of a fraternal nature, with
particular attention paid to the care of its sick and distressed members
and their families.

Application
being made to open a Grand Lodge in this State and there being some
rivalry between lodges, at the suggestion of Thomas Wildey, Trenton
Lodge No. 3 was formed August 3, 1833, the same day the Grand Lodge
of New Jersey was instituted in this city.

Only a year
after the institution of Trenton Lodge No. 3, Concordia Lodge No.
4 was organized in Trenton September 29, 1834, and it continued
up to a few years ago when it was merged with one of the other lodges.

At the present
time there are six lodges in Trenton, with a membership of 1,847 and
with invested funds of more than $130,000. These lodges are: Trenton
No. 3; Mercer No. 34; Garibaldi No.102; Fred D. Stuart No. 154; Home
No. 211; and Meni Lodge
No. 217.

The Rebekah
Branch of the Order, being composed mainly of the female relatives of
members, and single women, was established in 1850.

Concordia
Rebekah Lodge No. 4 was organized
at Trenton in 1868. It, however, shortly became defunct and the Rebekah
Degree in Trenton is now represented by Ruth Rebekah Lodge No. 9,
which was instituted January 7, 1890, and is an active working lodge.

No recital
of Odd Fellowship would be complete without special reference to its
provision for the care of its aged members, their wives, widows and
orphans.

In Trenton
there is a Home for the Aged, established in 1885, in which seventy
old folks are being sheltered and looked after.

JUNIOR ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS

The Junior
Order of United American Mechanics, a patriotic, fraternal and beneficial
organization was introduced into New Jersey by the institution of Lincoln
Council No. 1, at Camden, January
1866. The State Council of New Jersey was organized at Camden, July
12, 1869, with nine councils, the total number at that time in New Jersey.
Among them was Enterprise No. 6 of Trenton, which was instituted in
October 1868. The first annual session of the State Council was held
October 21, 1869, in the rooms of Enterprise Council in this city.

The Councils
which have been instituted in Trenton are: Enterprise No. 6, instituted
in 1868 by Ogden Lanning, G. Kafer, J. Letterer and J. Van Horn. These
men were identified with the creation of the order, and Mr. Lanning
was the first duly elected secretary of the State Council; Liberty
Council No. 18, instituted September 1870; Alert No. 45, instituted
January 20, 1874;
Mercer No. 50, March 25, 1890; Commodore Perry No. 8o, November
24, 1890; Nathan Hale No. 89, February 25, 1891; Trenton No.
90, March 5, 1891; Century No. 100, May 29, 1891; and Rutherford
B. Hayes No. 143, February 3, 1893.

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS

The Ancient
Order of Hibernians, the outstanding organization in this country whose
members are Roman Catholics of Irish birth or descent, had its origin
in Ireland in the sixteenth century. It was first established in the
United States in 1836, and in Trenton in 1871 when a few Irishmen gathered
at the home of Christopher McCann in South Trenton. The prime movers
were William Reilly and James Sharkey, who had come to Trenton from
the coal mining region. An organization was effected with the election
of William Reilly as president, James Sharkey as vice-president, Edward
McKeever as secretary and Christopher McCann as treasurer.

Division
No.1, the Mother Division, was formally organized March 22,
1872. This division eventually located in .St. Mary's Cathedral parish,
and Division No. 2 was organized in South Trenton, January 23,
1882, with William F. Grenan as president, John Waldron as vice-president,
John J. Mullen as recording secretary, John Landerkin as financial secretary
and John Haggerty as treasurer.

Division
No. 3 was organized in the Chambersburg section in October 1888,
with John P. Casey as president, Peter Doyle as vice-president, Michael
Callery as recording secretary and William Cantwell as treasurer. Division
No. 4 of St. Joseph's parish was organized in 1890 with James E.
Clinton as president, Hugh Kennedy as vice-president, Andrew McDonough
as recording secretary, Michael M. McDonough as financial secretary
and Henry Brown as treasurer. Division No. 5, embracing largely
the Swamp Angel section, was organized in 1893 with Thomas P. Burns
as president, Patrick Martin as vice-president, Joseph Higgins as recording
secretary, Joseph McDonough as financial secretary and Roger Henry as
treasurer. Division No. 6, which was a reorganization of Division
No. 3, came into existence in 1898 and later on Divisions 7, 8
and 9 were organized.

The officers
of the different divisions constitute the County Board, through which
the present A:O.H. building on .North Warren Street was acquired as
headquarters for the entire order of the city, and since then a movement
has been on foot for the consolidation of all the divisions withDivision No. r having within its ranks the larger part of the nearly
one thousand members of the order in this city. The only remaining separate
divisions of the order at this time are Division No. 2 and Division
No. 7.

The A.O.H.
in this city has paid out many thousands of dollars in sick and death
benefits, and has taken an active part in all Catholic movements as
well as in Irish movements.

ST. PATRICK'S ALLIANCE OF AMERICA

Men of Irish
birth and descent, living in the United States, formed the St. Patrick's
Alliance of America, as a non-sectarian organization to promote better
feeling among the sects. Membership is open to any one who believes
in freedom for Ireland and is of Irish blood.

There are
two units in Trenton, Branch No. 1, organized September
1887, and Branch No. 4, organized September 6, 1891, with District
No. 7, established March 27, 1889.

TRENTON
LODGE NO. 105, B.P.O.E.

Under a
dispensation granted by Hamilton E. Leach, grand exalted ruler, Trenton
Lodge No. 105, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, was formed October
24, 1888. It had about fifty members, among them some of the best-known
men of the city. General Richard A. Donnelly, father of Mayor Frederick
W. Donnelly, was the lodge's first exalted ruler.

The first
meeting of the new lodge was held November 22, 1888, in Temperance Hall
at South Broad and Front Streets, where the Goldberg department store
is now located. The December meeting was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall,
North Broad and Hanover Streets, and it was not until April 1, 1889,
that the lodge moved into its own quarters at 23 and 25 North Warren
Street.

The lodge
was very prosperous at this time, and had in its membership men who
were outstanding in many walks of life.

In the spring
of 1894 the lodge again moved, going this time to 38 West State Street.
The entire dwelling was used by the order and fitted up as an Elks'
home, but in October 1895, for some reason, the organization went back
to its location at 23-25 North Warren .Street, this time occupying the
second floor.

From 1895
to 1900 Trenton Lodge No. 105 was inactive, but from the beginning of
the century until 1909 it had rapid growth, It was then proposed that
the lodge should have its own home. This suggestion proved a popular
one, and soon $35,000 was guaranteed for the project. The committee
appointed selected the present site, 120-122 North Warren Street, and
under proper authority issued twenty-year bonds of $25 denomination,
which were purchased by the members. The new building was begun in 1910,
completed the following year and formally opened January 1, 1912.

The new home
was dedicated May 21, 1913, with District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler
Alexander W. Mack, of Somerville Lodge No. 1068, as master of ceremonies.

The lodge
now has a membership of about 1,600.

In 1922 a
movement was started under the leadership of Past Exalted Ruler Joseph
G. Buch to aid crippled children, which soon spread all over New Jersey
and the nation.

Trenton Lodge
was so fortunate in its activities after 1913, that in 1925 it paid
off the twenty-year bonds which were not due until 1930. The organization
is now entirely clear of debt.

PATRIOTIC ORDER, SONS OF AMERICA

The Patriotic
Order, Sons of America, has seven camps in Trenton and the Mercer Commandery.
The oldest camp, No. 7, was the first one instituted in New Jersey.

The Trenton
Camp No. 7 was sponsored by Camp No. 7 of Philadelphia and was
organized in 1888. After two rather difficult years, it relinquished
its charter. On January 8, 1891, it was reorganized, and now has grown
to be one of the strongest in the State. The old records have been lost,
but it is known that A. L. Updyke was the first president.

Camp No.
14 was organized February 17, 1892, and its first officers
were W. Penn Walters, president; John Robbins, recording secretary;
John Caldwell, financial secretary; and T. D. Terhune, treasurer.

Camp No.
17 was instituted March 1892 by Past State President Samuel
L. Davis. It had twenty-six charter members. Fred Wildrick was the first
president; Thomas W. Cubberly, vice-president; and William Hutchinson,
treasurer. This camp owns its own home on North Montgomery Street.

Camp No.
20 was instituted in Broad Street Park, May 7, 1903, with
William R. Galbraith as president.

Camp No.
192, organized January 3, 1916, with twenty-five members,
and Robert Scott as president. There is also a Camp No. 6.

The Mercer
Commandery No. 25 was organized November 11, 1904, with William
H. Tilton as commander.

PATRIOTIC ORDER OF AMERICANS

The Patriotic
Order of Americans has three units in Trenton, Camp No. 37, Camp No.7 and Camp No.
6.

LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE

The purpose
of the organization is to provide sick and death benefits along the
regular lodge plan, and also to promote social activity and friendly
intercourse among its members.

Trenton
Lodge No. 164, Loyal Order of Moose, was organized October 21, 1909,
by James J. Davis, now United States Secretary of Labor. He was assisted
in the preliminary work by William J. Bennett and John H. Nichols. In
June 1910 the members purchased the building at 121 East Hanover Street.
After spending considerable money to renovate it, the organization,
during a dispensation of open charter, increased its membership to two
thousand seven hundred members. With the increase of members it was
finally decided that the quarters were too small and a committee was
appointed to select a desirable location on which to build. After three
months' time the committee recommended the purchase of the old Woolverton
estate at East State and Canal Streets for $30,000.

Building
operations were begun in May 1914 and the home was turned over to the
lodge October 16, 1915. It was designed exclusively for social and club
quarters and contains lodge rooms and a spacious auditorium which may
be rented for public occasions.

WOODMEN OF THE WORLD

The Woodmen
of the World is represented in Trenton by several very successful camps
and groves. They are:

Trenton
Camp No. 33, organized May 1904, which now has 2,475 members.

Wilbur
Camp No. 45, organized May 1907, which now has 1,867 members.

Kent Camp
No. 49, organized January 1908, which has a present membership
of 127.

Expraxion
Grove No. 12, formed April 1911, and now having 1,432 members.

Laurel
Grove No. 21, formed April 1915, and now having 765 members.

All these
were organized under the supervision of present District Manager Peter
B. Tilton who has served in that capacity since 1906. District Manager
Edna V. Tilton supervises the Groves, the women's organization.

NATIONAL UNION

Trenton
now has four councils of the National Union. The first one, Trenton
No. 346, was organized by B. F. Morrell, July 23, 1889. The others are:

VETERANS'
organizations have been organized in Trenton by men who fought in the
Civil, Spanish-American and World Wars. The first of these goes back
to two years after the close of the Civil War, and the latest was organized
in 1920. Several of them have their women's auxiliaries, which assist
in their social and patriotic activities.

G.A.R. POSTS

Bayard
Post No. 8, of the Grand Army of the Republic, is the oldest veterans'
organization in Trenton. It was chartered November 5, 1867, and named
for George D. Bayard of Princeton, a General in the Union Army, who
was killed in action December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va.

Aaron
Wilkes Post No. 23, named for
Adjutant Aaron Wilkes, a Trenton youth killed in action May 5, 1862,
at Williamsburg, Va., and buried in Riverview Cemetery, this city, was
chartered July 1, 1879.

The
third post, Thomas Hamilton Post No. 56, is composed of Negro
soldiers of the Union Army. It received its charter August 18, 1881.

Both
the Bayard Post and the Aaron Wilkes Posts have their women's auxiliaries.

There
is also a unit of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, which
was chartered November 18, 1887.

SONS OF VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

The
sons of Union Army veterans formed a society in 1881 for the purpose
of perpetuating the memory, sacrifices and services of the veterans
in preserving the Union. Other purposes were to inculcate patriotism,
honor the dead through historical exercises and the proper observances
of Memorial Day, and to assist the Grand Army men and extend aid to
their widows and orphans.

The
General James A. Garfield Camp No. 4, Sons of Veterans of the
Civil War of Trenton, was organized January 9, 1896, and incorporated
March 20, 1902. Its first captain was Herbert D. Williams.

The
second unit of the Sons of Veterans is the Ferd V. Dayton Camp No.
5, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. It was organized May
10, 1883.

The
William J. Sewell Camp No. 22 is the Negro camp of the Sons of
Veterans, and was organized May 28, 1895. The first commander was Robert
J. Kinney and the present one is Samuel C. Harmon.

The
James A. Garfield Camp has a woman's auxiliary No. 18, for which
a charter was issued November 1, 1910.

SPANISH WAR VETERANS

Trenton
Camp No. 42 of the National United Spanish War Veterans was not organized
until May 11, 1926, when it received its charter. Fred C. Ruhlman was
the first commander and Harry W. Brand is the present one.

On July 27,
1927, the Trenton Auxiliary No. 24 of the Spanish War Veterans
was organized. Marie K. Ruhlman was the auxiliary's first president
and was succeeded by Mrs. Ella M. Clow.

ELKINS OLIPHANT POST, AMERICAN LEGION

Almost
immediately after the close of the World War and the demobilization
of the troops, two posts of the American Legion were formed in Trenton,
one the Blue and Gray Post No. 10 and the other Trenton Post No. 104.
For the purpose of honoring Elkins Oliphant, son of an old and distinguished
Trenton family, who was the first Trenton officer killed during the
War, the two organizations combined in 1921 and became known as Elkins
Oliphant Post No. 93.

The
Blue and Gray Post, the first formed in Trenton, was established August
29, 1919, and took its name of Blue and Gray from the fact that it included
in its membership not only the sons of men who fought in the Union Army
during the Civil War, but also the sons of those who fought for the
Confederacy.

Trenton Post
was chartered September 6, 1919.

The
amalgamation of the two posts was effected at a meeting of the memberships
December 21, 1921. At the session January 4, 1922, the organi­zation
was completed, and an election of officers held. Samuel Scott, who had
been junior vice‑commander of Trenton Post and chairman of its
hospitalization committee, was elected commander.

The
amalgamated post was incorporated February 1922, for the purpose of
promoting patriotism and the mutual interest of the membership.

Lieutenant
Oliphant, in whose memory the post was named, was the son of Alexander
C. Oliphant, for a number of years adjutant‑general of New Jersey.
He was the grandson of General S. Duncan Oliphant, who served with distinction
in the Civil War, and of the United States Senator Stephen B. Elkins
of West Virginia. Lieutenant Oliphant was killed October 18, 1918, at
Ribeauville, France, while taking part in the great offensive against
the Hindenburg line.

THE POST AUXILIARIES

At
the request of the men of Trenton Post, Mrs. Florence Schoch formed
an auxiliary to that organization. There were fifty who joined at the
Roll Call.

The
first meeting of the auxiliary was held Hallowe'en Eve, 1920, when the
following officers were elected: Mrs. Schoch, president; Mrs. Alexander
C. Oliphant, vice-president; Mrs. Robert Gulliver, secretary; and Mrs.
Alfred Reading, treasurer.

Since
1921 the auxiliary, with the assistance of the post, has held a Poppy
Day sale annually, the proceeds of which go toward the post's work for
disabled veterans and to the Convalescent Home at Toms River.

The
Blue and Gray Post Auxiliary was the result of a meeting October 10,
1920, when five women, wives of members of the Blue and Gray Post No.
10, assembled in the home of the post at 72 North Clinton Avenue, at
the call of Commander Black. The officers first elected were: Mrs. John
H. McCullough, president; Mrs. O. D. Oliphant, first vice‑president;
Mrs. W. Scott Taylor, second vice‑president; Mrs. C. Frank Burr,
third vice­president; Mrs. Frank Harris, corresponding secretary;
Mrs. J. E. VanHorne, recording secretary; and Mrs. R. S. Seibert, treasurer.
These officers served until the amalgamation.

After
the amalgamation of the posts and their auxiliaries, the newly organized
auxiliary of the Elkins Oliphant Post honored the young offi­cer's
mother, Mrs. Alexander C. Oliphant, by electing her as the first president.
Those who served with her were: Mrs. Belle Spaulding, vice­president;
Miss Mary Schroth, secretary; and Mrs. Bess Morrison, treasurer. The
meetings were then held in the post rooms, 30 East Front Street.

The
same officers served during 1922 and 1923. The presidents after that
date have been: Miss Gertrude Miller, Mrs. A. C. Oliphant (reelection),
Mrs. O. D. Oliphant and Mrs. W. N. Morrison.

Financial
assistance has been given by the auxiliary to local organiza­tions
and institutions equipped to render medical and surgical care to former
soldiers and their dependents.

40 AND 8 SOCIETY

In
March 1920 the first effort was made to organize a play feature for
the American Legion. Many legionnaires believed there should be some
such unit, and Joseph W. Breen, a veteran of two wars, conceived the
idea of the 40 and 8 Society. The title is taken from the legend on
the French "side‑door Pullmans," so familiar to the
travelling doughboy. Its members are known as "Voyageurs Militaires"
and the candidates as "Prisonniers de Guerre." The initiation
ceremony is called a "Wreck" and is staged by a "Wrecking
Crew." All officers of the organization are designated by terms
used about the railroad stations of France.

On
May 3, 1922, Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer George Dobson came to Trenton
with the wrecking crew of Voiture No. 127 of Middlesex County and instituted
the Trenton branch of the organization.

Immediately
following the initiation an election was held and Richard Stockton,
Jr., was elected the first Chef de Gare de Voiture No. 235, of Trenton,
to serve for one year. Since then the following veterans have held this
post: James E. Mitchell, Samuel P. Scott, Harry Evans, C. E. Edmonds,
William Wharton, Charles W. Blakesley.

Of
the many activities which the society has fostered perhaps the most
important is the child welfare fund which it inaugurated. This fund
is raised through payment of a percentage of each voyageur's dues to
the child welfare committee of the American Legion.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

Since
the World War there has been only one unit in Trenton of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, and very little is known of any former organi­zations.
The unit established since the World War is known as the Bloor­Volk
Post No. 491. It is named for Spencer Bloor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Bloor, and Robert B. Volk, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Volk. The post
was organized in January 1927.

John
J. Boscarell is the present commander of the post, which has an active
membership of two hundred and an increasing number of applicants.

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

The
national organization of the Disabled American Veterans of the World
War was founded in March 1920, by a group of wounded, injured and disabled
men at Cincinnati, who felt the need for some unit that would have only
the interests of the wounded and disabled at heart. The first Trenton
chapter was organized in 1920 under the name of the Rehab Chapter. The
name was later changed to the Theodore Roosevelt Chapter No. 2. The
main object of the organization is to assist ex-service men and their
families. The chapter has since adhered to this purpose and assisted
every needy veteran's family that has come to its attention. This work
was long done under the personal supervision of Frank Muccioli, who
is a former service man and clerk of the City District Court.

Frank
Muccioli was elected first state commander of New Jersey, and Fred J.
Paone was for three consecutive terms treasurer of the state organi­zation,
while Lewis Coney and Fred E. Pierce both served one term as state treasurer
also.

V. Patriotic Societies

THE
last decade of the nineteenth century brought a revival of interest
throughout America in the stirring events of Colonial and Revolutionary
history in the United States, and from 1890 to 1900 numerous societies
intended to preserve the memory of the early Americans and their heroic
achievements, were organized.

NEW JERSEY SOCIETY, SONS OF THE REVOLUTION

First
among the societies of this character to be formed in Trenton was apparently
the New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution. Although this is a State
society of a national organization, it was formed by Trenton men, descendants
of Revolutionary ancestors. From that time to this Trentonians have
been conspicuous in the New Jersey Society of the Sons, many of them
holding high office in that organization.

Judge
Garret D. W. Vroom, a distinguished jurist of this city, always greatly
interested in America's early history, Colonel S. Meredith Dickin­son,
descendant of one of the most gallant officers of the Revolution, and
former Secretary of the Navy George M. Robeson were three of those who
signed the call for the meeting January 6, 1891, at which the New Jersey
Society was formed.

It
was at a meeting March 3, 1891, that the formal organization took place,
and Colonel Dickinson was elected to the presidency. Clement H. Sinnickson,
of Salem, was elected as vice-president; John A. Campbell, secretary;
General Thomas S. Chambers, treasurer; Foster C. Griffith, registrar;
Morris H. Stratton, of Salem, historian; and General George M. Robeson,
Judge Vroom, General S. Duncan Oliphant, H. H. Hamill and Dr. William
Elmer, all of this city, Bayard Stockton, of Princeton, C. A. Bergen,
Peter L. Voorhees and William John Potts of Camden, members of the board
of managers.

Some
of Trenton's most influential citizens have served since that time in
various offices of the society, which was incorporated January 13, 1923.
Those who have been president are: Colonel Dickinson, Judge Vroom, Chancellor
Walker, General Chambers, Colonel William Libbey, State Senator Jonathan
H. Blackwell, Robert Chambers Belville, State Comp­troller N. A.
K. Bugbee and Attorney-General Edward L. Katzenbach, who is president
now.

Trentonians
who have held the office of vice-president are: Colonel William Libbey,
Senator Jonathan H. Blackwell, Robert C. Belville and State Comptroller
N. A. K. Bugbee.

Shortly
after the formation of the society, the members participated in the
exercises attendant upon the laying of the cornerstone of the Trenton
Battle Monument, and this was the first of many historic and patriotic
enterprises in which the society has been interested.

Members
of the society later conceived the idea of fittingly marking the route
followed by Washington on his march to Princeton. This was done, and
at their annual meeting May 20, 1914, the members travelled by automobile
over the route to unveil the twelve obelisks and tablets which they
had erected along the way.

NEW JERSEY SOCIETY, COLONIAL DAMES OF
AMERICA

Trenton
women, members of some of the city's oldest and most distinguished families,
were responsible for the organization of the New Jersey Society, Colonial
Dames of America. As in the case of the Sons of the Revolution, the
Trenton members have ever since been closely and actively associated
with the organization.

The
New Jersey Society of the Dames was formed at a meeting held March 9,
1892, at the home of Miss Elizabeth Alford Smith, 178 West State Street.
The first officers were Trenton women. Mrs. S. Meredith Dickinson, whose
husband had been made president of the State Society of the Sons of
the Revolution in 1891, was elected to the presidency of the Dames.
Mrs. S. Duncan Oliphant was the first vice‑president; Mrs. Henry
M. Barbour, second vice-president; Miss Smith, recording secretary;
Miss Caroline E. Nixon, corresponding secretary; Miss Mary Dickinson,
treasurer; Mrs. Frederick C. Lewis, registrar; Miss Annie deB. McIlvaine,
historian; and Miss Justina Livingston Atterbury, assistant historian.
Mrs. W. W. L. Phillips, Mrs. Cleaveland Hilson, Mrs. Hugh H. Hamill,
Mrs. Alexander F. Jamieson, Mrs. Hughes Oliphant and Miss Helen Griswold
Green were the six Trenton women elected as the first managers.

Since the
formation of the State Society of the Dames, several Trenton women have
held the office of president. They include Mrs. S. Meredith Dickinson,
Mrs. Alexander F. Jamieson, Mrs. Francis C. Lowthorp and Mrs. William
Libbey. Mrs. Dickinson is now an honorary president and Miss Smith an
honorary vice-president.

It
is the aim of the society to preserve all buildings, relics and mementos
of early American life, and to stimulate a healthful interest in Colonial
affairs, and a spirit of true patriotism and love of country.

SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS IN NEW JERSEY

On
May 1, 1894, the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey
was formed, and the first meeting to receive the charter and elect officers
was held May 10, 1894, at the home of General Edward Burd Grubb, at
Edgewater Park, N.J.

General
William S. Stryker and United States Senator F. O. Briggs both have
held the office of deputy governor in the society, while Colonel William
Libbey was one time governor. General Wilbur F. Sadler, Jr., served
the society in 1915-16 as treasurer, Senator Briggs was registrar and
a gentle­man of the council, and General Sadler and General Thomas
S. Chambers were also gentlemen of the council.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Trenton
has six chapters of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
the first one organized in 1894 and the last in 1910.

The
oldest Trenton chapter is the Broad Seal, which takes its name
from the great seal of New Jersey, and which was organized December
13, 1894, at a meeting at the home of Mrs. Richard T. Stevens, of South
Orange, N.J. The Broad Seal was the sixth chapter to be established
in New Jersey, and its twelve charter members had all been members of
the Nova Caesarea Chapter, of Newark. Mrs. Stevens was the Broad Seal's
first regent.

Trent
Chapter came into existence January 24, 1895, upon invitation
of Mrs. William S. Stryker, then state regent of New Jersey, and was
the seventh to be formed in the State. The organizing regent was Mrs.
Alexander F. Jamieson of Lawrenceville and the organization meeting
was held at the home of Mrs. Henry P. Perrine, on Greenwood Avenue,
when officers were elected as follows: Mrs. Alexander F. Jamieson, regent;
Mrs. James S. Stephens, vice-regent; Mrs. William J. George, of Lawrenceville,
registrar; Miss Kate A. Mott, of Bordentown, treasurer; Mrs. Chauncey
H. Beasley, recording secretary; Mrs. Edward L. Gulick, of Lawrenceville,
correspond­ing secretary; and Mrs. Mary A. Bell, historian.

The
name selected by the chapter honors the memory of William Trent, first
chief justice of New Jersey, for whom Trenton was named.

Mrs.
Jamieson was regent of Trent Chapter until 1922, when she re­signed,
and Mrs. Francis C. Lowthorp was elected. When the latter resigned,
she was succeeded in 1926 by Mrs. Henry W. Green. Mrs. Jamieson and
Mrs. Lowthorp are honorary life regents of the chapter.

Mrs.
John Moses, for many years a leader in both D.A.R. and Colonial Dames
activities in Trenton, organized the General David Forman Chapter
January 15, 1896. It began with nineteen charter members, and its
first officers were: Mrs. Moses, regent; Mrs. Daniel R. Foster, vice-regent;
Miss Julia Blackfan, registrar; Miss Laura Wilson, treasurer; Mrs. Robert
Oliphant, secretary; and Mrs. Isaac Weatherby, historian.

Mrs.
Moses served as regent from the organization of the Chapter until December
31, 1924, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Jennie Scudder Murray. The
chapter is named for an ancestor of the first regent, General David
Forman, who was a distinguished officer in the American Revolutionary
War.

Mrs.
Murray organized in 1926 the Jinnie Jackson Society of the Children
of the American Revolution and was its first regent. Its aim is
to interest the youth of the country in patriotic and historic matters,
and to train members for the adult patriotic societies.

Mrs.
Beulah A. Oliphant, who instituted the movement to have the original
portions of the Old Barracks acquired and maintained as an historical
landmark, was the organizing regent of the Captain James Oliphant
Chapter. This chapter, formed May 12, 1896, with fifteen charter
members, is a family one, whose members are either Oliphants by ancestry
or Oliphants by marriage. Mrs. Oliphant was not only its founder, but
served as its regent for twenty years. Mrs. S. D. Oliphant, Jr., succeeded
her, and is the present regent. The membership now is twenty-four.

Rescue
of the Old Barracks from destruction is the most outstanding achievement
of the chapter. The idea of saving the building was conceived by the
first regent, and at a chapter meeting in 1899 a resolution was passed
"to endeavor to interest all patriotic societies to assist in the
pur­chase of 'The Old Colonial and Revolutionary Barracks' for a
home for Patriotic Societies."

The
chapter was a charter member of the George Washington Memorial Association,
Rocky Hill Headquarters Association, and the Mount Vernon Association.
It also assisted in furnishing the dining-room of the Wallace House
in Somerville, and other similar projects.

The
chapter which bears the name of General Hugh Mercer was organized
June 5, 1900, at the home of Mrs. Howell C. Stull, 369 West State Street.

Upon
the removal of Mrs. Stull to Albuquerque, N.M., Miss Bertha M. Barwis
was elected regent of the chapter.

The
General Washington Chapter was organized May 1910, by Mrs. William
Libbey, then state regent, at the home of Mrs. George B. Yard, of Greenwood
Avenue. Mrs. Libbey appointed Mrs. Yard regent, a post which she held
for many years. Other officers elected at the first meeting were: Mrs.
James M. Green, vice-regent; Miss Lucile Green, secretary; Mrs. Arthur
D. Forst, treasurer; Mrs. William J. J. Bowman, registrar; and Mrs.
Lory Prentiss, historian.

Mrs.
Yard was followed as regent by Mrs. Robert C. Maxwell, Mrs. Robert K.
Bowman and Miss Elma Lawson Johnston.

TRENTON BATTLE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION

The
movement which culminated in the formation of the Trenton Battle Monument
Association, and the erection of the shaft at "Five Points"
to commemorate the Battle of Trenton, began as long ago as July 4, 1843.
General Garret D. Wall sent that day from Burlington a message to the
New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati, then meeting in the Court House
at Trenton, urging appointment of a committee to erect "a monument
to commemorate the victory gained by the Revolutionary Army under command
of General Washington, at Trenton, December 26, 1776." The society
complied with the suggestion and named General Wall chairman of the
committee, which held its first meeting January 16, 1844, at Snowden's
Hotel, Trenton.

On
September 6, 1843, a public meeting of Trentonians had been held at
the State House to consider the same project. This was called by Henry
W. Green, Stacy G. Potts, and Samuel R. Gummere. The result of these
two meetings was the obtaining of a charter March 8, 1844, for the "Trenton
Monument Association." The incorporators included some of the most
distinguished men of the State.

Little
further was done until 1858-59, when Charles Chauncey Haven, of Trenton,
through personal efforts interested many prominent citizens of the State
in the project. On March 5, 1859, the Legislature passed a supple­mental
Act, changing the name to "New Jersey Monument Association,"
and adding two men from each County except Mercer, as incorporators.
From Mercer thirteen additional men were added.

Commodore
Stockton was elected president under this Act; Mr. Haven, vice‑president
and general agent; Thomas S. Allison, secretary; and Thomas J. Stryker,
treasurer.

Subscriptions
were sought and citizens of New Jersey contributed more than $11,000.
Further efforts to carry the project tb completion ceased until May
7, 1884, when a charter was obtained for the "Trenton Battle Monument
Association."

On
December 28, 1886, the association directed that the property at the
junction of Pennington, Princeton and Brunswick Avenues, and Greene
(now Broad) and Warren Streets be bought. The following April 14, 1887,
the Legislature appropriated $15,000 and on March 3, 1891, Congress
ap­propriated $30,000. By July 3, 1891, citizens of New Jersey had
contributed more than $15,000, thereby rendering these appropriations
available. Work was begun October 22, 1891.

On
the 115th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton, December 26, 1891, the
cornerstone of the monument was laid with elaborate ceremonies. Gen­eral
Thomas S. Chambers, Hugh H. Hamill and William H. Skirm were members
of the committee on arrangements. The monument was dedicated October
19, 1893, on the 112th anniversary of the surrender of Yorktown. The
ceremonies were brilliant and were attended by governors of eight of
the original thirteen States, Hilary A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy,
who represented the President of the United .States, and several distinguished
military units.

OLD BARRACKS ASSOCIATION

No
patriotic society in Trenton has a more notable accomplishment to its
credit than the Old Barracks Association. This organization of women
raised public funds for the purchase of the original portions of the
Old Barracks property, and thus made possible its preservation and restoration.
The Old Barracks today is one of the places of greatest historic interest,
not only in Trenton but in the entire State. It is used as a meeting
place for numerous patriotic societies and as a Colonial landmark it
is visited annually by thousands of persons from all points of the United
States.

General
William S. Stryker, when adjutant general of New Jersey, in the pursuance
of his historic researches brought to public attention the fact that
the Old Barracks was the only remaining building of this kind in New
Jersey and recommended that the State buy the property.

In
1899, Mrs. S. D. Oliphant, Sr., who had previously been interested in
the preservation of the Old Barracks, sought to collect funds to buy
the old building. She associated with her in the endeavor Mrs. Stryker,
wife of General Stryker, Mrs. Cornelius Hook, Miss Sarah N. Doughty
of Absecon and Mrs. Henry L. Jenkinson of Newark. Miss Doughty with­drew
in 1902, and Mrs. Washington A. Roebling served in her stead. Mrs. Jenkinson
had withdrawn in 1901 and was succeeded by Mrs. James Buchanan Breese.

This
self-appointed committee immediately appealed for contributions, and
even resorted to a house-to-house solicitation. It was their intention
to have the building saved and held by a Board of Trustees as "a
place of interest for all residents of the State and other visitors,
as a receptacle for old Colonial furniture, pictures and curios."
In all, $6,314.20 was raised and paid over to the Widows' and Single
Women's Home Society, which owned the building and used it as a home
for aged women.

The
Board of Trustees of the Old Barracks was organized in 1902 and plans
were tentatively formulated for the preservation and necessary im­provements
to the building. Mrs. Oliphant was elected president; Mrs. Stryker,
vice-president; Miss Mary M. Moore, treasurer; and Mrs. Stull, secretary.

Shortly
after the association was organized, patriotic societies began to apply
for meeting rooms in the building. The Colonial Dames rented a room
on the first floor with the privilege of using the auditorium for their
meetings. Various D.A.R. chapters also were assigned rooms for meetings
and to be used as repositories for their archives.

In
1911 the movement was begun to have the Old Barracks restored to its
original lines, a project in which the Old Barracks Association heartily
cooperated by deeding to the State the southern wing on condition that
it be given perpetual management and control of the entire Barracks,
when it was restored. The State accepted the deed and in 1917 the Legislature
passed an Act appropriating $2,500 annually toward the administration
and maintenance of the building, under direction of the association.

The
Old Barracks is the only remaining one of five military establish­ments
which the Colonial Assembly authorized to be built at the time of the
French and Indian Wars. The Trenton barracks was authorized in 1758,
and was completed in March 1759. Others were erected at Burlington,
Brunswick, Amboy and Elizabethtown.

The
original groundfloor plan of the barracks, found not many years ago
in the State House, made it possible for the building to be accurately
restored. The credit for actually starting the restoration belongs to
Chancellor Edwin Robert Walker. At a meeting of the Old Barracks Association
held February 6, 1911, he presented to the association a drawing of
the barracks as it was when first erected, and suggested that the structure
be restored on the original lines.

A
committee of the Society, Sons of the Revolution, largely through the
initiative of General Wilbur F. Sadler, Jr., was able to bring the project
to completion. Acts were passed by the Legislature, appropriating money
for the acquisition of land and buildings, and finally for the restoration
itself. In accordance with its agreement with the State, the Old Barracks
Association has now full control of the building.

Many
prominent Trenton women have served as president of the Old Barracks
Association. These included: Mrs. Cornelius Hook, 1902‑06; Mrs.
James Monroe Green, 1906-07; and Mrs. J. Murray Forst, 1907-12. Mrs.
Hook was again chosen 1912-14, followed by Mrs. William S. Stryker,
1914-15. The presidents since then have been Mrs. Breese, Mrs. Thomas
S. Chambers (now Mrs. C. Edward Murray), Mrs. John A. Montgomery, Mrs.
Huston Dixon and Mrs. Robert K. Bowman. On May 25, 1927, Mrs. Stryker
was made honorary president.

TRENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Although
Trenton is an old and important New Jersey city, in addition to being
the capital of the State, until 1919 it had no society devoted exclusively
to collecting the facts of its history, preserving its historic buildings
and marking its notable sites. From time to time various organizations
had taken cognizance of such events as the Crossing of the Delaware
and the two Battles of Trenton, but none had functioned as a regularly
organized historical society.

One
of the organizations interested in historic matters was the Princes
of Caliphs. This was a society founded in May 1902 among members of
the Knights of Malta, and was intended originally as a social branch
of this order. Later a more serious purpose was assumed, and the members
gave special attention to the proper and fitting observance of days
of historic import in the history of America. Such occasions as Washington's
Birthday, Fourth of July and the anniversary of the Crossing of the
Delaware and the Battles of Trenton were usually celebrated by the Caliphs
with a banquet, an appropriate program following. Many well-known men
in fraternal and civic life belonged to it, and at one time there were
twelve hundred members.

At
a banquet of the organization January 25, 1919, in observance of the
Second Battle of Trenton, steps were taken to form a Trenton Historical
Society. The suggestion came from Counsellor William J. Backes, who
was serving as chairman of the banquet committee. His suggestion found
instant favor, and the Rev. Charles H. Elder urged that a committee
of ten be appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. Counsellor
Backes named as members of this body Chancellor Walker, chairman; Mayor
Frederick W. Donnelly, Judge Erwin E. Marshall, Judge Frederick W. Gnichtel,
General Thomas S. Chambers, Dr. Carlos E. Godfrey, John J. Cleary, William
Williams, Jr., F. C. Griffith and Clayton L. Traver.

Chancellor
Walker served the society for three years as president. He was succeeded
in that office by Judge F. W. Gnichtel, Dr. Carlos E. Godfrey, William
J, Backes and John J. Cleary, the present incumbent.

Not
long after its organization, the Trenton Historical .Society was instrumental
in having the name of former Mayor Frank A. Magowan restored to the
bronze tablet bearing the names of the original Battle Monument Association,
which stood within the entrance to the monument. Frank A. Magowan, Trenton's
brilliant and once much-honored mayor, was a member of the Battle Monument
Association and his name with others appeared originally on the bronze
tablet in the shaft. Some time after he had retired, discredited, from
public life, his name was effaced from the tablet by unknown persons
and that of William S. Hancock was substituted. Mr. Hancock had been
elected to the association when Mayor Magowan resigned. General Thomas
S. Chambers was the last surviving member of the association and at
his death, custody and control of the monument passed to the State House
Commission. In order that the tablet might be accurate and also to right
an injustice to Mr. Magowan, the Historical Association appealed to
the State House Commission to have the tablet corrected and the commission
ordered the change made.

The
Historical Society supported the movement to save the old house once
occupied by Alexander Douglass, an officer on General Washington's staff
during the Revolution. It was in this house on January 2, 1777, that
Washington held a council of war after the Second Battle of Trenton.
Here was planned the masterly retreat to Princeton. The historic dwelling
had submitted to numerous movings and was rapidly falling into decay,
when sentiment was aroused to buy it and have it moved to a permanent
location in Stacy Park. Largely through the efforts of the Catholic
Club, upon the suggestion of General Wilbur F. Sadler, this plan materialized.

It
was at the instance of the Historical Society, also, that Trenton celebrated
the 150th anniversary of the Battles of Trenton. The event is described
in detail in another chapter, "Trenton in the Twentieth Century,"
in this volume.

With
the publication of this History of Trenton the society has successfully
concluded another undertaking designed to preserve old records and recall
significant events in the city's life.

MAHLON STACY DIVISION, SONS AND DAUGHTERS
OF THE PILGRIMS

To
perpetuate the memory of the Pilgrim Fathers, to foster their prin­ciples
and virtues, and to encourage the study of their qualities, acts and
principles of government, the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims has
recently been established. The Mahlon Stacy Division of Trenton was
formed October 12, 1923. Members of the society must have a direct ancestor
who settled within the Colonies prior to 1700. Organization of the local
division, named for the first settler of Trenton, who was himself in
this country long before 1700, took place at the home of Dr. and Mrs.
Joseph H. Satterthwaite. Officers elected were: William P. Ivins, lieutenant-governor;
Daniel Willets, second lieutenant-governor; State Senator A. Crozer
Reeves, elder; Mrs. William Morrell, secretary; Miss Elma Lawson Johnston,
chairman of program; Dr. Joseph H. Satterthwaite, historian; Mrs. Satterthwaite,
registrar; Mrs. William V. Coleman, treasurer; and Mrs. Frank Bamford,
Mrs. John Raymond, Mrs. A. C. Reeves and William Sampson, commissioners.

The Mahlon
Stacy Division now has a membership of 125 members.

VI. Social Clubs

TRENTON has had numerous
social clubs for the men of the city, and popular as most of these have
been, none has achieved the distinction of either the old Lotus or Lochiel
Clubs, which came into existence in the decade beginning 1870. These
two organizations had as members many prominent men of the city during
the nearly half a century that they lasted.

THE LOTUS CLUB

Although
formed within a few years of one another and having to a large extent
the same membership, the Lotus and Lochiel Clubs had markedly differing
characteristics. The Lotus had a membership limited to sixty, and was
easily the most exclusive of its day. On its roll were the city's social
and professional leaders. The Lochiel Club had a much larger membership,
and although the social requirements were not so much a factor, the
men who composed the club were likewise of a high type and position.
The Lochiel was much less conservative than the Lotus, and its members
more frequently indulged in frolics and gaiety. Its kitchen and sideboard
were also notable features of the Lochiel.

The
first minute book of the Lotus Club, given recently to the Trentoniana
collection of the Trenton Public Library by Foster C. Griffith, for
many years secretary of the club, reveals the fact that this club was
formed originally for the purpose of promoting literature, science and
social inter­course. The first and third Tuesdays in each months
were especially set aside for their consideration.

Perusal
of the minutes shows, however, that the original object was not long
adhered to, the members apparently preferring the delights of informal
conversation or a friendly game of cards.

The
Lotus Club was organized January 7, 1873, when Dr. James B. Coleman
was elected president; Moses D. Naar, vice-president; Charles C. Abbott,
the noted naturalist, secretary; and Lewis Parker, Jr., treasurer. Judge
Alfred Reed, Edward T. Green and Judge John H. Stewart were elected
directors. Mr. Abbott served only a short time and in August 1873 Joseph
L. Naar, the newspaper editor, was appointed secretary in his place.

The
club had quarters from November 1873 over Applegate's Sporting Goods
Store, on South Broad Street. Mr. Roebling offered the club the use
of the second and third floors of this property for a rental of $400
a year. Favorite hours at the club rooms were late afternoon before
dinner and before and after the theater and on .Sundays.

The
Lotus Club for many years enjoyed its annual dinners, and these events
became celebrated functions. The menus were chosen with the utmost care
and prepared to please the most fastidious taste. An entertainment by
the members followed the dinner.

Among
the presidents of the Club were Alfred S. Livingston, Judge G. D. W.
Vroom, Charles C. Scott, Jr., Evarts Clancy, Judge J. H. Stewart, F.
W. Roebling, Sr., and Senator Jonathan H. Blackwell, who served from
1893 to 1919. W. H. Gandy, elected in 1920, was the last president of
the club.

Death
of many of the active members and changing conditions caused the Lotus
Club to go out of existence. The last entry in the minute book tells
the story:

"A special meeting of the Lotus Club was held in the club rooms October
18, 1920. The report of the financial condition of the club was presented
by R. V. Kuser, treasurer, showing it would be necessary to increase
the dues of the club to at least $100 a year in order for the club to
be self-supporting. The committee of M. R. Margerum, R. V. Kuser and
F. C. Griffith was directed to confer with the members on the advisability
of discontinuing or continuing. They are to report Wednesday, November
24."

So passed
the Lotus Club, after a career of some forty-seven years.

THE LOCHIEL CLUB

Comradeship,
fine dinners and choice liquors were the notable features of the Lochiel
Club, with its membership of two hundred fifty. The Lochiel was formed
May 12, 1877, and began in a modest way. It first had quarters at 144
East State Street, and later at 28 East State Street, near Warren. It
moved again in 1886 to the mansion of Frederick R. Wilkinson, at 219
East State Street. Then began the golden age of the club.

Unlike
the Lotus Club, which never held a public function, the Lochiel members
frequently entertained. A notable function was the reception given to
James G. Blaine at the height of one of his political campaigns. John
Hart Brewer, widely known Trenton pottery manufacturer and congress­man,
was Mr. Blaine's host. So great was the crush to meet the distinguished
guest that Mr. Blaine could not get near a door and made his entrance
to the club house through a window.

The
.Lochiel Club passed out of existence about 1894, when executors of
the Wilkinson estate decided to devote the old home to store and office
pur­poses. The club had then passed its prime, and when the old
club house disappeared the club went too. For a while some remnants
of it did exist as the Berkeley Club. In 1900 this also was disbanded.

TRENTON BICYCLE CLUB

In
1884 devotees of bicycling in Trenton decided to form a club. They met
for this purpose in the Trenton House, June 12, and organized the Trenton
Bicycle Club.

Officers
were elected, S. S. Staples being selected for president; D. Scott Quintin,
vice-president; S. P. Camp, secretary; and C. T. Sutphin, treas­urer.
When the club met again June 18, Burroughs Rose was elected captain
and F. W. Whitehead, first lieutenant.

The
club had as its first quarters the lecture room of the W.C.T.U. Almost
immediately after organizing and selecting quarters, the members adopted
a uniform, as tight and uncomfortable as possible, but stylish and topped
off with a helmet. So arrayed, the members were ready to venture forth
on the city streets. But the city streets in those days were neither
smooth asphalt nor concrete such as the motorist enjoys today. They
were paved with either cobble stones or rough stone block. These made
riding uncomfortable, and none too safe, with the result that the wheelmen
took to the sidewalks. But this practice brought a protest from pedestrians
as being at variance with the city ordinance. Dr. McCullough, Mr. Rose
and R. V. Whitehead were appointed by the club to petition Common Council
to permit the sidewalk riding, except in the busiest sections. The same
committee was also instructed to draft a resolution to submit to the
newly appointed park commission advocating the use of the old Atterbury
estate as a park, with the water power bank as a drive.

The
club did not long use the W.C.T.U. rooms, and subsequently met in the
home of Dr. McCullough, which he loaned for that purpose. In Sep­tember
1885, the club opened its first home at 107 East Hanover Street, on
the second floor of the Old Arcade Building. The large hall in the rear
of the club rooms was rented for riding purposes, and here older members
watched with amusement the antics of beginners. Here too were held the
club drills.

About
a year later the club moved to rooms previously occupied by the Lochiel
Club, at 25 East State Street. After a few years in the new location,
the secretary and a former landlady became engaged in a controversy,
the members took sides, and finally the club was disrupted.

The
new organization began a campaign for members, and the Trenton Wheelmen
soon became a flourishing club. Gardner H. Cain was elected president
at the next election, with F. H. Robinson as vice-president; R. V. Whitehead,
treasurer; H. F. Whitehead, secretary; W. M. Crozer, captain; F. W.
Whitehead, first lieutenant; and W. M. Watson, second lieutenant. Gardner
H. Cain served the club as president for twenty years until 1908, when
R. V. Whitehead was chosen president; C. T. Sutphin, vice-president;
Alfred N. Barber, secretary; and A. G. Dale, treasurer. The trustees
in­cluded Mr. Cain, F. W. Roebling, Jr., R. C. Manning and E. B.
Fulper.

Due
perhaps to new interests of the members, there was an agitation in 1892
for another change of name, and at last it was agreed to call the organization
"The Trenton Club" and to eliminate the bicycling features.

Eight years
later, in the spring of igoo, the Trenton Club decided to move into
the old quarters of the Berkeley Club, at 24 East State Street, and
the first meeting was held in the new rooms May 5 of that year.

In
1909 the question of larger quarters was discussed, and F. W. Roebling,
Jr., Gardner H. Cain, John S. Broughton, F. A. Duggan, A. G. Dale and
W. A. Anderson were appointed a committee to find a new home. At a meeting
held July 13, 1909, the committee reported that the property at 36 West
State Street, which had been occupied by the Chamber of Commerce, was
about to be sold, and recommended its purchase. A decision was made
to buy the property, double the yearly dues and elect six new members.

Steady
growth in the club membership made it possible in 1923 for the Trenton
Club to enjoy an even more desirable home, and the former residence
of Karl G. Roebling, at 211 West State Street, was purchased from his
widow, Mrs. Arthur T. O'Brien.

When
the Trenton Bicycle Club went out of existence some of the members formed
a new wheelmen's club. This was the once widely known Mercer County
Wheelmen's Club, which was organized November 13, 1889, with a membership
of twenty-five. Charles Perrine was the first president, Harry D. Leavitt,
vice-president and James C. Tattersall, secretary.

The
club first met in rooms on South Warren Street, but later it had quarters
at 110 West Front Street. In 1893 the clubmen moved to 128 North Warren
Street, but the next year, when the organization numbered three hundred
members, it acquired the house on East State Street, for many years
the home of the Lochiel Club.

The
club gradually passed out of existence as interest in bicycling declined,
and its members consolidated with the Carteret Club.

TRENTON COUNTRY CLUB

Trenton's
country club was organized in 1897. United States Senator Frank O. Briggs
was the first president; Charles van Syckel, first secretary; and Henry
W. Green, treasurer. Mr. Green, however, soon resigned because of other
duties, and S. W. Blackwell was elected in his place.

The
organization meeting was held in the office of Mr. Green October 18,
1897, when President Briggs was directed to arrange for a lease of "Oaklands,"
the former home of the late Colonel Woodruff, in Ewing Township. This
was done and the club house was formally opened March 26, 1898, but
the property was not purchased until about five years later. Decision
to buy it was made February 26, 1903, when the issuance of bonds to
the extent of $40,000 was authorized to finance the purchase.

In
1908 a group of the younger men of the city felt a lack of club life
and four of them, J. Fred Margerum, Clifford A. Worthington, Samuel
J. Surtees and Charles B. Riley, expressed a desire to form a new club.
Accord­ingly they invited five other friends to join them in the
project, and the Carteret Club resulted.

A
temporary organization was effected December 18, 1908. Newton A. K.
Bugbee was chosen president and Merton S. West, secretary-treasurer.

The
organizers decided to increase the list to a total of twenty-five members
and invitations were sent out to other men of the city.

The
clubmen secured rooms on the third floor of the Gundling Building, near
State and Broad Streets. The club continued in this location until September
1911, when the tenth floor of the American Mechanics Building was rented.
These rooms were retained until 1914 when the club moved to the Commonwealth
Building, leasing the top floor.

In
1920, during the presidency of J. Fred Margerum, the idea of combining
the Carteret Club with the old City Club was advanced, and in June 1920,
101 members of the City Club were elected to membership in the Carteret.

The
City Club had been organized in October 1911, and its members were among
the then younger men of the city. Ernest C. Stahl, Jr., was the first
president; W. Bradford Stryker, vice-president; James F. A. Phillips,
secretary; and Hugo H. Hamill, treasurer.

Originally
the club met in the American Mechanics Building, but it later moved
to the old Hildebrecht Building, Chancery Lane and West State Street,
now the property of the First-Mechanics National Bank.

The
enlarged membership of the Carteret Club brought problems in housing,
and it was decided to seek new quarters. The handsome home of Charles
G. Roebling, on West State Street, was then for sale. It was well suited
for club purposes and in December 1920 it passed into the possession
of the Carteret Club. It was formally opened January 12, 1921.

State
Comptroller Bugbee was followed in the presidency by Harry J. Lyons,
William B. Maddock, George E. Maguire, General Frederick Gil­kyson,
J. Fred Margerum, Judge A. Dayton Oliphant, Adam Exton and R. V. Kuser,
who has served since 1925.

Another
club that merged with the Carteret was the Fellowcraft, once an influential
social organization. It was composed exclusively of Master Masons in
good standing, and at one time it had 135 members. The Fellowcraft Club
was formed March 31, 1891, and was incorporated the same year. Its headquarters
were at 27 North Warren Street.

A
social club that has long been exceptionally popular in the Chambersburg
section is the In and Out Social Club, organized in 1888, and incorporated
February 1, 1889. Valentine Schwartz was the first president; Herbert
Smith, secretary; and J. Henry Klein, treasurer. Of the original members,
Mr. Klein is the only one still living.

This
was never actually a political organization, but most of the political
leaders of both parties have been members, as well as lawyers, doctors
and business men. George Wood is now president; Charles M. Mulford,
secretary and J. George Jammer, treasurer. It has 270 members. Ever
since its formation, the club has been located within one hundred feet
of its present home, 803 Hudson Street.

SOCIAL TURN VEREIN

Among
the popular societies of a generation or so ago was the Social Turn
Verein, organized by the German residents of Trenton. It was formed
June 3, 1855, in Alex Jacobus' American House, North Warren Street,
with twenty members. Jacob Angermuller appears to have been the first
speaker.

Not
long after organizing, the members moved to Keeler's Hall, Broad and
Hanover Streets, and the rules were changed in order to allow persons
of other nationalities to become members. In 1857 the society took a
small building on North Broad Street for headquarters.

Members
of the Turn Verein in the autumn of 1871 purchased the old Turner Hall
property on South Broad Street from Peter Crozer. Two years later a
new hall was built on this site, which was dedicated October 1891. For
many years the Turners were active socially and in athletics, but they
sold their South Broad Street hall eventually.

PROGRESS CLUB

One
of the leading social clubs of the present day, with a membership exclusively
Jewish, is the Progress Club, which since 1922 has been occupying a
handsome club house at 178 West State Street.

This
organization began in November 1894 as the Young Men's Hebrew Club,
with a membership of twenty‑seven. .Its first meetings were held
in a room in a building on South Broad .Street, below Factory, but later
the club moved to East State Street, between Broad and Warren Streets.
Arthur Schwartz was the first president of the old club, which was interested
in improving the mental, moral, social and physical conditions of its
members and of protecting Hebrew interests.

About
1905, the club changed into a purely social one, and adopted the name
of the Progress Club. New quarters were acquired in the Alhambra Building,
and some time after the Thropp property on East State Street became
the club's headquarters. In 1922 the members bought from John S. Broughton
the present home.

Dr.
Samuel Freeman was the first president after the establishment of the
Progress Club; Barnett Elting was vice-president; A. Siegel, treasurer;
and Philip Papier, secretary.

In
1925 the Progress Club men bought a country place on the Lawrenceville
Road, where they have established a golf club. When this purchase was
made the official name was changed to the Progress City and Country
Club.

CALEDONIAN CLUB

One
of the unique clubs of today in Trenton is the Caledonian, composed
exclusively of Scotsmen. It was formed September 21, 1905, at the suggestion
of James Clark, and its purpose is to provide social life for the men
of Scotch birth, although there is also a beneficial feature attached
to it.

William
Stewart was the first chief and is still a member of the organization.
Others who have held this office are Samuel Reid, Archiebald Campbell,
Alexander Johnstone, Colin Fulton, Thomas MacNeil, George Walker, Robert
Ness, William Tait, John Dawson, James Ferguson, William Laird, James
McDade, James MacMillan, Harry MacMeeking, John Gray Peter Smith, Archiebald
Cullen, Ebenezer Wilson, Samuel MacArthur and Hugh Dunlop.

For
many years the club's concert and ball was a feature of the season,
and the Caledonian soccer team was one of the pioneer teams of this
game in Trenton.

The
club has a Ladies' Auxiliary which has been of great assistance to the
organization.

COLLEGE CLUBS

Few
records appear to exist of the beginning of the Princeton Club of
Trenton. There was years ago a Princeton Alumni Association of New
Jersey, which held meetings in Trenton and of which Governor Robert
S. Green was president and John A. Campbell was secretary. Later the
Princeton Club was formed at a meeting at the Trenton House in 1911.
John A. Campbell, who has been president for more than fifty years of
the famous Class of '77 of Princeton University, was the president,
and W. M. Dickinson, secretary.

The
club's object is to advance the interests of Princeton University and
to promote good fellowship among Princeton men. It has given financial
help to many needy boys going through college and raised money for en­dowments,
charitable and other purposes for the good of the University.

The
club is efficiently organized and holds numerous dinners, smokers and
luncheons during the winter months. Prominent lecturers from the University
speak before its members.

To
promote the interests of Cornell University, Trentonians who are graduates
of that institution founded a Cornell Club of Trenton about 1918.
Graduates living as far north as Bound Brook and as far south as Mount
Holly also hold membership.

Through
the activities of John G. Conner, the Lafayette College Alumni Association
of Trenton was formed November 16, 1921, at a dinner given by Mr.
Conner at the Stacy-Trent. The club has been especially helpful to students
from Trenton attending Lafayette.

BOAT CLUBS

With
the beautiful Delaware River and Water Power (now Sanhican Creek) at
their very door, it is not surprising that boating of various kinds
should be a popular amusement for residents of the city. For many years
canoeing was enjoyed every summer on the river and creek above the State
House, while in the vicinity of Lalor Street dock, yachting was preferred.
The advent of the motor car and many other amusements seem to have interfered
with this enjoyable pastime, and today canoe clubs are fewer than in
former years, and membership is much less in the Trenton Yacht Club.
Many former members of these organizations are, however, gradually drifting
back to their former sport, and it is possible that once more boats
will be seen in numbers on both the river and creek.

William
M. Carter and Samuel G. Furman appear to have been the first devotees
of canoeing, and in 1876 paddled their canoes through the Trenton Falls.
Eight years later the Trenton Canoe Club was formed by Mr. Carter,
Robert G. Lucas, Frederick F. C. Woodward, Frank W. Sigler and John
A. Gallavan.

The
Park Island Canoeing Association was founded soon after and incor­porated
July 22, 1889. Mr. Carter was president and William C. Lawrence was
secretary-treasurer. The trustees were Edward D. Anderson, Ellsworth
E. Booz, Henry C. Buchanan, J. Wallace Hoff, Frederick F. C. Woodward
and William M. Carter. In 1889 the club bought White's Island (later
Park Island) and built its club house there. .

Other
canoe clubs which have been popular in Trenton are the Mohawk, West
End, Chippewa, Algonquin and Hiawatha.

The
Trenton Yacht Club started in 1908 when a group of members of
the old Equitable Water Club broke away and founded a new organization.
It was chartered in April 1908 and soon had a membership of five hundred.
Meetings were held first in a shanty on Lamberton Street, near the present
handsome club-house at 1171 Lamberton Street. This was built in 1910
and added to in 1916.

William
Milbourne was first commodore; William Matlack, vice-commodore; George
L. Klein, recording secretary; and John Connor, financial secretary.

The
Trenton Yacht Club is affiliated with the Delaware River Yachtmen's
League and the American Powerboat Association.

Motor
yachting has of late attracted the interest of local lovers of water
sport.

TRENTON PRESS CLUB

Since
the late '90's, the newspapermen of Trenton have had their own club,
where they have found relaxation and congenial companionship after their
rather arduous duties.

Early
records of the club are missing, but James F. Dale, well known State
House correspondent for the Newark Evening News, was its organizer,
somewhere toward the close of the century. In those days it was a more
or less informal club, holding its meetings over the cafe of "Nick"
Jahn, 14 South Warren Street, next door to the former home of the Trenton
Banking Company. Later it had quarters in the Wilkinson Building, at
State and Warren Streets, over the Western Union Company office, and
afterward at 8 East State Street, over the Postal Telegraph Cable Company.
These rooms were occupied by the clubmen for some ten years.

When
the Press Club took its present quarters at to North Warren Street,
it was reorganized to include the group of men who used to con­gregate
at Harry F. Smith's cigar store until he went out of business.

Henry
C. Buchanan, of the Trenton Times editorial staff, has been associated
with the club almost from the beginning as president, and Charles H.
Levy, for many years one of the owners and editors of the Trenton
Advertiser before its merger with the Trenton Times, served
a long time as vice-president. George B. Shick is secretary-treasurer,
succeeding John J. McDonough, recently resigned.

The
club has long been a factor in the club life of Trenton and by the very
nature of its membership it has been an unusually interesting and different
type of club. Its present membership is representative of all walks
of life. Its social entertainments are famous and the attendance always
includes celebrities in public life.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

There
appear to have been some years ago in Trenton smaller social clubs that
have had more or less influence and sometimes numbered among their members
men of consequence. One of the oldest of these of which there is much
record is the Red Stocking Club, of South Trenton, organized
about 1870. It took its name from one of the then popular local baseball
teams, whose players and promoters and admirers desired to continue
indoors dur­ing the winter months the pleasant relations of the
summer time.

Meeting
places were once in the rear of a grocery store at Centre and Federal
Streets, later in Getsinger's butcher shop, Federal and Second Streets,
and still later over Wilkes' Grocery Store at Second and Furman Streets.

The
. Red Stockings was incorporated November 12, 1876, and Judge Robert
S. Woodruff was one of those who signed the charter. He was also the
club's counsel. Daniel Haggerty was president at the time of incorporation.
To comply with the law when the club was incorporated, a beneficial
feature was added, but few claims, if any, appear to have been presented.

Members
were for the most part employees of mills and other similar concerns.
No liquor was allowed in the rooms. The club had a small library, a
piano and plenty of reading material. It disbanded in the '80's, most
of the members going into the Catholic Young Men's Association.

The
Millham Social Club was of the same general type as the Red Stock­ings.
Its balls and picnics years ago were very popular.

The
Shad Hose Club was another one that flourished in the '80's and
'90's, and was well known for its summer outings at Biles Creek, Smith's
Island, White's Island and Point Pleasant, Pa. The club was formed at
"The Exchange," a restaurant kept in those days by Fire Chief
John A. Weart.

With
the passing of the Shad Hose Club, the Lime Kiln Club came into
being early in 1887. It was started in what was known as Joe Fox's "Queen
Anne" cigar store on Greene Street (now Broad) just below the Opera
House. The club's most celebrated events were the annual reunions and
dinners, held generally in the old State Street House.

At
various times governors of the State, United States Senators, Congressmen
and other influential men in public life were members.

The
Lime Kiln Club has a successor today in the Federal Club. Like
the older one there is practically no organization, no dues and no initiation.
The Federal Club, while boasting a membership of men in all walks of
life, was originated in the late '80's by men employed in the industries
and shops. Its main purpose is to bring about a better understanding
between the men of various races employed in the Trenton industries
and to eliminate as far as possible the old intolerant religious bigotry.
Furthermore, its members were interested in local charities, and gave
as generously as possible from their earnings to these institutions.
Politics played not a small part in the club's activities, and as might
be expected it was a champion of the people's rights, working for and
supporting candidates who seemed to have the interest of the people
at heart.

Members
of the Federal Club appear to have selected as their meeting place in
the old days the Post Office corner, at State and Montgomery Streets.
In 1914 this rather vague group was brought into closer relation through
a slight organization. Joshua Delaney was elected president and has
filled that office ever since. Harry Klagg was chosen secretary and
James H. Tallon general director, whose task it was and is to carry
out the club's projects.

Like
its predecessor, the Federal Club meets annually for a dinner, when
it adds to its honor roll of members. The Lime Kiln Club generally "smoked
in" honorary members at a smoker. The men placed on the Federal's
honor roll include John A. Campbell, Charles A. Mpy, James Kerney, Senator
A. Crozer Reeves, former Governor E. C. Stokes, former Governor George
S. Silzer, Dr. Henry van Dyke, Everett Townsend, Dr. Herbert A. Gibbons
and Mrs. Helen Davenport Gibbons, Mrs. O. D. Oliphant, Congressman Charles
A. Eaton, Dr. Charles Browne, the late Daniel E. Green, the late United
States Senator Frank O. Briggs, the late General Wilbur F. Sadler, Jr.,
Owen Healey, Henry C. Buchanan and Thomas F. Waldron.

The
North American Gun Club which came into existence about the same
time, hid behind a deceptive name. It was formed to keep alive the memory
of the famous Battles of Trenton, at a time when most of the citizens
were content to let such historic achievements be forgotten. The club's
big affair was also an annual one, held December 26.

The
membership consisted largely of residents of Millham, but honorary members
included the various mayors of Trenton.

OLD FIRE COMPANIES

Although
the old fire companies were not clubs, in the strict sense of the word,
in their day they held an important place in the social life of the
city and deserve more than passing men­tion. As long ago as 1747,
when Trenton was little more than a straggling village, its first volunteer
fire company was formed. From then until 1892, when the old volunteer
system was re­placed by a paid department, some nine or ten of these
com­panies functioned. Their chief purpose was of course fire fighting,
but they had their social features as well. Each summer the companies
held picnics and trips were taken to other towns, where the men were
cordially received. Return visits were paid and out-of-town guests were
entertained with the greatest hos­pitality. Parades were staged
on every possible occasion, and the volunteers with their red shirts,
manning their brilliantly shining apparatus, made a colorful sight.
Some of the com­panies gave balls in the winter and dinners were
a frequent source of entertainment.

John
O. Raum, for many years a member of the Eagle Fire Company, has told
very completely the story of these companies in his history of Trenton.
The old Union Fire Company was seemingly the first, and it dates
back to February 1747. It is said to be the oldest company in the United
States with an unbroken record of 145 years. As was the case with nearly
all of the volunteer companies, the leading citizens of those early
days were members of the Union. As the years passed, new members joined
the company until, before 1800, all of the most distinguished Revolutionary
celebrities of the town had served with the Union. This record for socially
and politically prominent members continued to the time of the company's
disbandment.

The
Hand‑in‑Hand Company was the second to be formed.
The organi­zation took place April 2, 1772, at the home of Renssalear
Williams. In December 1776, the company suspended meetings due to the
fact that the British were quartered in the city and many of the supporters
of the Con­tinental cause had to flee. Meetings were resumed February
11, 1779.

There
was also in existence about this time a company called the Restoration,
of which practically nothing is now known. All its early records
are missing. The Resolution Fire Company was organized February
4, 1804, and incorporated December 28, 1824. Although it is not known
just when the Delaware Fire Company was formed, the unit was
functioning by April 5, 1821. This is revealed by old minutes of the
company, which lists members at that date.

The
famous old Eagle Fire Company was formed June 15, 1821, at a
meeting at the house of John Hutchinson, and comprised in its membership
all the leading citizens of old Mill Hill.

In
the winter of 1838-39 Trenton was visited by many fires, and although
there were several engines available, the facilities were not adequate
for the growing city. To meet this situation the Trenton Hose Company
was formed March 8, 1839. At the time of the State House fire in
1885, this company rescued the old battle flags stored in the building,
and silver medals were awarded for this action to William S. Sulger,
John A. MacCrellish, Nathaniel M. Smith, William B. Cadwalader and W.
B. Parker.

The
Good Will Company was originally an auxiliary of the old Restora­tion
and was not organized as a separate company until January 24, 1848.
There had been a Good Will Company in existence about 1837, but it was
a bucket engine.

Residents
of the North Trenton district were until 1849 not very well provided
with fire-fighting facilities, and on May 9 Daniel T. Bellerjeau offered
his house on North Warren Street, above the feeder, for a meeting to
form a company. This was the Harmony, formally organized 1849.

German
citizens of Trenton formed the Protection Hook and Ladder Company,
1850. It continued in existence only about five years. Members of
the Hand‑in‑Hand Company formed the America Hose Company
January 19, 1859.

In
order to give South Trenton efficient fire protection, the Ossenberg
Company was established 1873 by men considered too young to belong
to the Eagle Company. It was named for "Bill" Ossenberg, the
most popular member of the Eagles and for some years Chief of the entire
department.

May 1873
saw the organization of the Washington Hook and Ladder Company at
a meeting in the old Fort Rawnsley, South Warren and Factory Streets.

Citizens
of Millham Township in 1882 determined to provide themselves with a
fire unit and organized the Liberty Engine Company, May 12.

The
Roebling mills in Chambersburg had been steadily growing for several
years, when in 1886 the residents of that district came to consider
them a fire menace unless more adequate fire protection was furnished.
Accord­ingly they issued a call to form a fire company, and the
unit was organized September 30, being named the Mutual.

The
Fire Department during the 145 years that it was a volunteer organi­zation
was an exceedingly picturesque branch of the city service. It was a
very human part of the governmental system, and while all the companies
were organized for the purpose of putting out fires, the rivalry between
them sometimes halted their activities to the detriment of the burning
property. There was great pride felt in being first to reach a fire,
and it was not an uncommon sight to see some husky fireman with a coupler
sitting on a fire plug, holding it for his company, which had not yet
arrived, despite the fact that other companies were already on the scene.
It is said that many times the firemen in their rivalry would turn the
hose on each other rather than on the burning structure. In the city's
young days a fire was an exciting event. Nearly the whole town turned
out to view the sight and the men and boys united to assist the fire
laddies in pulling the engines or in harnessing the horses.

So
much a part of the city life was the old volunteer department that,
when in 1892 it was decided to substitute a paid company, there was
genuine regret for the passing of so ancient an institution.

The
actual disbandment was marked by a great parade April 4, which by chance
was one of the hottest days on record for that season. The horses and
men both suffered, but with brass bands leading them and throngs of
citizens to cbeer them on, one thousand volunteers swung along from
East State Street to Clinton Avenue, to Perry .Street to the Battle
Monument and thence down Warren Street to Bridge Street and back to
the City Hall, then at State and Broad Streets, where the mayor and
special guests waited to review them. A banquet in Turner Hall that
night completed the occa­sion. There were 650 diners, who listened
to speeches by F. C. Lowthrop, chairman, H. F. Baker and Mayor Bechtel
of the citizens' committee and Judge Chauncey H. Beasley, Colonel E.
C. Stahl, Michael Nathan, Lewis Parker, General George M. Robeson, John
Taylor and former Mayor Frank A. Magowan.

VII. Catholic Societies

THE first
formal organization of the Catholic young men of Trenton for literary
and social purposes was effected May 1, 1873, when the Catholic Young
Men's Lyceum came into existence. Its membership was recruited from
all sections of the city.

CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S LYCEUM

The
Lyceum was organized by seven young men, assisted by the Rev. Father
Anthony Smith, of St. Mary's parish. The club met first in rented rooms
in Washington Hall, over Washington Market, South Broad and Front Streets.
In the autumn of 1873 it moved into the Assunpink Block, South Broad
Street, and then later took the second floor of the building at the
northwest corner of Broad and Factory Streets. These quarters were formally
opened January 9, 1874. M. J. Hayden was the first president, Edward
H. Murphy the second, and James J. Wilson the third president.

The
Lyceum grew in a year from a membership of twelve to eighty‑three,
and it celebrated its first annual reunion in May 1874.

In
April 1874, a literary society was organized as part of the Lyceum,
with Edward H. Murphy as president; T. F. Fitzgerald, vice-president;
John J. Hayden, secretary; Patrick McGinley, financial secretary; M.
J. Hayden, treasurer; and M. J. Solan, librarian.

The
Lyceum flourished about ten years, and its decline in membership was
due to the establishment of other societies.

THE CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION AND
THE CATHOLIC CLUB

When
the Rev. Thaddeus Hogan was appointed pastor of St. John's Church, Broad
and Centre Streets, it was his ambition to have a parish organization
of young men and this purpose was accomplished early in July 1879. During
the pastorate of the Rev. Patrick Byrne, just preceding, there had been
an organization called St. John's Literary Union, with headquarters
in the basement of St. John's Church. Here many spirited debates took
place and in addition billiards and other games were enjoyed. William
J. Convery was president of this earlier society, with Michael Cleary,
financial secretary, and Robert Convery, corresponding secretary. The
reorganization effected by Father Hogan brought a new name, the Catholic
Young Men's Association of St. John's Parish. Its first officers were:
Father Hogan, president; Daniel Haggerty, vice-president; Andrew J.
Smith, recording secretary; and Denis Donovan, financial secretary.

This
society was enjoying a successful career as a literary and athletic
body (the Association Base Ball Club of city‑wide prominence in
the early '80's had its origin here) when its headquarters were burned
out. In the interval between the burning of St. John's Church in September
1883 and the erection of the club building at No. 1 Centre Street, the
association had temporary quarters in one of the classrooms of St. John's
School on .Lam­berton Street.

The
cornerstone of the new club house was laid Sunday, August 23, 1891,
and the building was dedicated November 10, 1892, with elaborate cere­monies
and in the presence of a large assemblage that included distinguished
guests, clerical and lay.

Meanwhile
September 4, 1892, the following officers were elected, being the first
to serve the Catholic Club, the new name of the former Young Men's Association:
president (under the constitution to be the pastor of the Sacred Heart
Church), the Rev. Thaddeus Hogan; first vice-president, William J. Convery;
second vice-president, John J. Cleary, recording secretary, Thomas Campbell;
financial secretary, Patrick A. Durnan; treasurer, Peter J. Morgan;
librarian, Daniel J. Logue, with James Murray and Frank Tams, assistants.
Members of the Board of Governors were James Heaney, J. F. McGuire,
John Hickey, Lawrence Barden, John J. Kane, Henry McLaughlin, Patrick
McKeever, Charles J. Douress and John Heaney.

The
club house, which is still the home of the Catholic Club, is a hand­some
structure, of grey stone to match the adjoining church and rectory.
It is two stories in height and is fully equipped for the social, intellectual
and athletic purposes of a first class club house.

In
succeeding years the organization took an active part in all forms of
athletics, baseball, bicycling and other sports, and also made a reputation
for the high character of its social, musical and literary entertainments.
The Catholic Club is still an active agency for the young men of South
Trenton.

CATHEDRAL YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION

With
the withdrawal of the young men of South Trenton from the original society
meeting at Broad and Factory Streets, the latter body decided to dissolve
and to have a Catholic Young Men's Association for residents north of
the Assunpink. This new body established itself in St. Mary's Hall,
Bank Street, and its first officers in 1880 follow: Terence Priory,
president; James Burns, vice-president; Stephen Meagher, recording secretary;
and Thomas McKee, treasurer.

The
Cathedral organization was destined to move about for various causes.
First, demand for all available space for classrooms required that the
members vacate their apartments in St. Mary's Hall. Having taken possession
of rooms on one of the upper floors of the building at 22 East State
Street, removal was again necessary when these rooms were made part
of a business development. Again on Perry Street, near Broad, the society
made a stand for permanency, but this tenantry also came to an end prematurely.
At last the Catholic Union afforded a partial outlet for the activities
of the Catholic young men and still later the organization of the Trenton
Council, Knights of Columbus, absorbed what remained of the membership.

CATHOLIC UNION

Meanwhile
another Catholic society along the same general lines was organized,
but for men of mature years. It was called the Catholic Union, and rented
convenient quarters on the third floor of 24 East State Street. This
body was active in debates, elocution and other forms of mental ex­ercises,
with billiards and pool on the side.

The
Catholic Union had an interesting existence covering the period of the
'80's and '90's, until the Trenton Council, K. of C., came into being,
the older society then merging with the Knights.

ST. FRANCIS PIONEER CORPS

Another
of the older Catholic clubs is the St. Francis Pioneer Corps. This was
formed December 24, 1876, by about forty of the German Catholics of
the city. William Cook, Sr., was the organizer and had associated with
him Louis Hartmann and William Kriser. The Corps was established as
a beneficial society and paraded in picturesque uniforms with battle
axes on the marchers' shoulders. It is still in existence and has about
105 members.

William
Cook, Jr., is president now, and the other officers are: William Goehrig,
vice-president; John A. Hartmann, treasurer; John Gerding, cor­responding
secretary; and Joseph H. Backes, financial secretary.

CATHOLIC TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES

Father
John P. Mackin, during his second pastorate of St. John's Church in
the '70's, aided the cause of temperance by organizing two temperance
societies. One of these was for adults and the other for cadets. After
the death of Father Mackin, Father Patrick Byrne of Camden, who was
an ardent temperance advocate, succeeded him. Among Father Byrne's first
acts was the formation of the Young Men's Total Abstinence League,
September 24, 1873, at a meeting in the basement of old St. John's
Church.

This
society had an added attraction for its members, in that a sick and
death benefit feature was incorporated with it, and in the course of
the years the society paid thousands of dollars in claims to those in
need.

Father
Byrne, who was elected president in 1874 of the National Tem­perance
Union, was an inspiring leader, and under his direction the League not
only acquired a substantial treasury for itself, but also gave valuable
aid to the parish.

When
Father Thaddeus Hogan in 1878 succeeded to the St. John pastorate, he,
too, strongly supported the temperance movement, and organized the boys
into a cadet society, which has supplied many members for the older
club.

The
Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence League of South Trenton has continued
to this day. It has had a notable career, and outstanding among its
functions were the twenty-fifth and fortieth anniversaries. These celebrations
were attended by men of prominence, both lay and clerical. A more recent
function was the reception given the thirty members who served overseas
in the World War, tendered them on their return from service.

A
later temperance society is St. Joseph's Temperance Beneficial Association,
organized October 24, 1915. Its purpose was not only to discoun­tenance
use of intoxicating liquors, but also to promote the spiritual and temporal
welfare of the members.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The
order of the Knights of Columbus in the United States dates back to
March 29, 1882, when the State of Connecticut granted it a charter.
It has existed in Trenton since 1898, when at a meeting held April 27
in the office of Counsellor Peter Backes a local unit of the order was
proposed. Two years previous to the formation of this group, which is
known as Council No. 355, John H. Cummings, a national lecturer, had
come here to speak on the organization and its purposes.

The
Knights of Columbus was first established as a fraternal insurance society,
but later broadened its policy and became a social as well as an insurance
society. Associate members are admitted, and these derive no insurance
benefits whatever. It has grown from a small membership to a great organization
with thousands of members. The order has State and Territorial Councils
and subordinate councils. New Jersey is one of the State bodies, and
the Trenton Council is one of the subordinate units.

Some
of the most influential Catholic laymen of the city attended the meeting
in Counsellor Backes's office. The men who enrolled at this and the
two subsequent meetings numbered about seventy-five. Organization of
the Trenton Council took place June 5, 1898, in the old Masonic Temple,
State and Warren Streets, and the charter was granted that same day.
Supreme Knight John J. Cone and several assistants were in charge of
the degree ceremonials.

For
five years after its formation, the Trenton Council held its meetings
in the Ribsam Building, South Broad and Front Streets, and business
ses­sions were occasionally varied by social functions. It was not
until April 1904 that the council changed its location. It was possible
then for the organization to lease quarters in the new Trent Theatre
Building, and this opportunity was taken advantage of because the location
seemed more convenient for the members. Furthermore, it was possible
to divide the large apartment into a library, meeting, smoking and games
rooms. The move to the new quarters was celebrated by a memorable meeting
of the State Council in this city May 1904. Representatives of thirty-five
New Jersey Councils attended, with Grand Knight John P. Dullard and
Past Grand Knight C. A. Gough representing the Trenton body. This was
the only State Council ever held in Trenton.

Desirable
as these quarters were, the membership not long after mani­fested
a desire for a permanent home. Five trustees were appointed as an executive
board for the building association. They were John J. Cleary, chairman;
C. A. Gough, secretary; Karl Weidel, treasurer; Anthony T. Williams
and Frank H. Hutchins. On April 1, 1915, the council took possession
of its new building at 221 North Warren Street, the former Mc­Neely
home, which had been remodelled for the club's use. At the time of the
purchase and renovation of the building the grand knight was William
P. Endebrock, a well-known architect, who was very active not only in
supervising the alterations but in enlarging the membership of the council
and in obtaining funds to meet the $15,000 expenditure. The new home
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies.

Trenton
Council has always had an interesting social side to its activities,
and many of its most delightful functions were held on the occasion
of anniversaries. One of the earliest of these was the banquet which
marked the first anniversary of the organization of the order. It was
held at the Trenton House, and Grand Knight Peter Backes presided. The
second anniversary was likewise observed with a banquet, with Bishop
McFaul, the Rev. Dr. John H. Norris, State Deputy James A. Burns and
John P. Dullard as speakers.

In
celebration of the silver jubilee of Bishop McFaul's ordination to the
priesthood, the Trenton Council gave a banquet October 22, 1902, which
also marked the eighth anniversary of his elevation to the episcopacy.
Equally brilliant was the banquet the Council tendered the bishop on
the occasion of his return from a trip to Rome. This was held December
12, 1906, at the Trenton House, and many clergy and laymen, the latter
Catho­lics and Protestants, attended.

Along
with the social events there were cultural affairs, which consisted
of lectures, debates and literary programs. The council has been responsible
for bringing some of the most famous lecturers of their day to Trenton.
For several years, the council had a debating society and also a Glee
Club, which was conducted by Professor Otto Polemann.

The
Trenton Council had a leading part in the first observance in Trenton
of Columbus Day, October 13, 1909. The law setting aside October 12
as a legal holiday, which had been introduced at the previous session
of the Legislature by Senator J. C. Price of Sussex County, was passed
and signed by Governor Fort. The silver‑handled gold pen with
which he ap­pended his name is now one of the treasured possessions
of the council. The observance was held in Taylor Opera House, and was
attended by Archbishop Falconio, Papal Envoy then in this country.

With
America's entry into the World War, a new and brilliant chapter was
begun in the history of the K. of C. About this time the Right Rev.
Thomas J. Walsh was appointed to the Diocese of Trenton to succeed Bishop
McFaul, who had passed away in 1917. Under the new bishop's leadership,
the whole scope of the work of the Knights was enlarged and important
activities for boys were made a part of the order's program.

The
membership was also growing, and the matter of a new home arose. There
was some discussion of an addition to the North Warren Street building,
but with the desire of Bishop Walsh to have the boys' welfare work made
a vital part of the organization's activity, it was decided to select
another site and erect a more extensive building than had been contemplated.

After
considerable discussion, the Swan lot on East State Street, near North
Clinton Avenue, was selected, and a club house and auditorium erected
at a cost of about $250,000. The cornerstone was laid December 3, 1922,
and the formal dedication of the new home took place in June 1923, when
the Trenton Council was observing its twenty-fifth anniversary.

When
the United States entered the war in April 1917, the council had a membership
of 550, and by November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed this
had increased to 700. During the war period, there were 204 members
of the council in the country's service, and two of them, Francis B.
Delaney and Joseph B. Logue, gave their lives.

While
the war was in progress, the Trenton Knights, with the splendid assistance
of non-Catholics, conducted the drive for the Knights of Colum­bus
war activities, and a sum in excess of $33,000 was obtained.

The
Council of the Knights of Columbus, of Utica, N.Y., in June 18, 1903,
formed the first Court of the Daughters of America as a sister society
for the purpose of promoting the social and intellectual standing of
its members, and of giving aid and charitable assistance whenever such
needs were presented to the court. The Trenton unit, Court Columbus
No. 50, was formed February 25, 1906. Officers of the Court Immaculate
Conception of Jersey City, assisted by the Trenton Knights of Columbus,
instituted the Trenton Court, which began with a membership of 57.

PREVIOUS
to the twentieth century, women's clubs were far from being the influential
organizations that they are today. In fact the movement was just getting
under way, and a woman who was a member of such a club was usually accused
of being a feminist, a destroyer of the home, a neglectful wife and
mother, and was subjected to not a little ridicule. Such an attitude
was still manifest in Trenton some thirty years ago when a small group
of the social and intellectual leaders among the women of Trenton, Princeton,
Lawrenceville and Bordentown, supported by a few men of vision among
whom the late Dr. James M. Green was the most active, organized the
first women's club in this city.

THE CONTEMPORARY - 1897

This pioneer
club was The Contemporary, the object of which was "to create an
organized center of thought and action among women in Tren­ton and
to stimulate an interest in science, literature, art, social and ethical
culture that will render the members helpful to one another and useful
to society."

The first
meeting was held March 12, 1897, at the home of Miss Amelia Hewitt (Mrs.
William N. Mumper).

For many
years membership in The Contemporary was limited to three hundred, but
with the growth of the city and ever‑wideqing interest of women,
the membership was enlarged to five hundred and today is unlimited.

Not until
the presidency of Mrs. Gummere in 1909-11 did The Contemporary have
a club house of its own. In the early days it met first at the Trenton
House and later at the State Schools, and occasionally at the Old Barracks.
The club bought for its home the property at 176 West State Street,
which it has since greatly improved and still occupies.

Since the
beginning of its career, The Contemporary has held two meet­ings
monthly, at the first of which club talent has been used, and at the
second some noted speaker or other person of reputation has appeared.
Many of these meetings have been open to the public. The club has brought
to Trenton widely known lecturers, artists and musicians including such
eminent lights as Dr. Bliss Perry, Professor John C. Van Dyke, .Lawrence
Hutton, Jacob A. Riis, Dr. Henry van Dyke, Miss Agnes Repplier, Dr.
Anna Howard Shaw, Kitty Cheatham, Professor Stockton Axson, brother-­in‑law
of President Woodrow Wilson, F. Hopkinson Smith, Miss Patty S. Hill,
Dr. Edward A. Steiner, Dr. Francis Maurice Egan, United States Min­ister
to Denmark, Edith Wynne Matthison, Lady Gregory, Margaret Deland, H.
E. Krehbiel and many others.

Civic problems
have engaged the attention of the club and the old programs reveal discussions
on such topics as "The Value of Public Libraries," in the
days before Trenton had its own free public library; ".Should Tren­ton
Have an Art Gallery?" a question that is still to be answered;
"Is the Modern Tendency Away from the Home?" and on woman
suffrage. Education and social questions generally have likewise not
been neglected. In 1919, a Settlement House Committee was appointed
for the purpose of conducting such an institution in East Trenton, where
its need was very great.

Beginning
with its modest little settlement house the outgrowth is the Carolyn
Stokes Memorial Day Nursery of today. The building which houses the
nursery was erected by W. J. B. Stokes as a memorial to his daughter,
Mrs. Harold F. Blanchard. Mr. .Stokes had also been a liberal donor
to the settlement house.

The Contemporary
has increased during the thirty-one years of its existence from a club
of about one hundred members and half a dozen committees to one of more
than six hundred members, a dozen or more committees and several departments.
Through these The Contemporary is still active in fields of artistic,
literary and social service endeavor.

TRENTON COLLEGE CLUB - 1911

Trenton
women, graduates of various colleges, organized the Trenton College
Club, October 24, 1911. The intention of the organizers was three­fold:
to promote fellowship among college women in this city and its immediate
vicinity, to extend the interest in college education for women and
to assist in the furtherance of welfare work in the community.

Membership
in the club is of two classes: active, open to women graduates of institutions
of collegiate rank; and associate, open to women who have obtained credits
for study in colleges.

The
club's most outstanding educational work has been the establishment
of a scholarship, which was awarded for the first time in 1916. This
is for the benefit of Trenton girls at college. Another educational
project has been the support of the Bryn Mawr School of Industry.

In
addition, the College Club for two years staged an excellent type of
Hallowe'en celebration, which received the approval of the city commis­sion.
It cooperated with the Sociological Committee of The Contemporary; aided
in forming a Drama League to promote good drama in Trenton; con­ducted
an anti-fly campaign; contributed financially to the Trenton Welfare
Association; did Big Sister work, Camp Dix canteen service and promoted
Red Cross activities and Liberty Bond selling.

The
club has financed its scholarship and other projects by giving plays
and similar functions.

TRENTON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S
CLUB - 1916

The
Trenton Business and Professional Women's Club was formed in the autumn
of 1916, with Miss Edith Moon as president.

One
of the activities of the club has been the establishment of a scholar­ship
for girls needing assistance through school, which is now being ex­tended
to include an award to the best all-round girl in the commercial department
of the High School.

The
club occupies rooms in the Wilkinson Building, opposite the Post Office.
It has aided many civic projects, and has fostered the interchange of
ideas with other service clubs. It was also the first to hold a donation
party for the American Legion Home, at Toms River, in which its example
has been followed by others throughout the State.

An
outstanding achievement was the founding of the State Federation of
Business and Professional Women's Clubs in New Jersey. This was accomplished
in May 1918, at a meeting held in Trenton. Miss M. Dorothy Eby, of this
city, was elected the first president. Since that time many of the Trenton
clubwomen have been prominent in the State organization. Miss Mary L.
Johnston served as president of the Federation for nearly six years
and Miss Alice M. Gary as corresponding secretary for almost as long.

TRENTON JUNIOR LEAGUE - 1921

To
give the girl of leisure and wealth an opportunity to engage in prac­tical
and worthwhile forms of social service, the Junior League movement was
started in this country. The Trenton society has been no exception to
the rule of excellence established by other and older Leagues, and since
its formation in 1921 its members have achieved great success in several
important charitable and social projects.

Establishment
of a Trenton Junior League was decided upon at a meeting of Trenton
society girls at the home of Miss Helen Wood Green, and its charter
was granted February 1921.

The
League undertook practical work from the beginning and aided in furnishing
the new home of the New Jersey Children's Home .Society on Parkway Avenue.
It also contributed to many worthwhile charitable enterprises, but its
biggest undertaking has been the Baby Shelter, established in 1924.
It also contributed $1,400 to the Orthopaedic Clinic and $6,500 to the
Soldiers' Convalescent Home at Toms River. All of the social work of
the League has been financed by public entertainments and in seven years
the organization has contributed more than $32,000 to nine different
charities.

TRENTON LECTURE COMMITTEE

That
Trenton has long been interested in literary matters seems to be indicated
by the great number of present and former literary societies which were
either branches of church organizations or city clubs and of lecture
courses. The lecture committees of which much is known date back as
far as 1855, although their organizers and supporters are forgotten.

The
present committee seems to have come into being early in the new century,
either just before or at the time the Trenton Public Library was established.
Old files of the Trenton newspapers indicate that United States Senator
Frank O. Briggs was the first chairman. Early minutes of the committee
are missing, but the correspondence of that day shows that Adam Strohm,
then head of the Trenton Public Library, was the secretary.

The
committee was originally a center for the American Society for the Extension
of University Teaching. Lecture courses were no more certain financially
then than now, and in January 1908 the committee sought to cancel a
series of six lectures because of lack of support. In 1907 there had
been a group of guarantors, whose names are listed in an old account
book of the committee. They were James Buchanan, Henry C. Green, William
M. Lanning, Bishop McFaul, Henry C. Moore, John Rellstab and Edward
A. Stokes.

In
1911, Judge G. D. W. Vroom was president. He continued to serve until
1914, when Neil Robert Montgomery was elected to succeed him. Howard
L. Hughes, who succeeded Mr. Strohm as head of the Public Library, became
secretary of the committee in 1912 and still holds that position. The
other presidents have been Walter F. Smith and State Senator A. Crozer
Reeves, who is serving now.

The
various civic and luncheon clubs and The Contemporary have been cooperating
with the Lecture Committee since 1917.

MOTHERS' CLUBS

Mothers and
teachers of children attending the Cadwalader School in 1903 are responsible
for the Mothers' Club movement in Trenton. This has now grown to such
proportions that almost every public and many parochial and private
schools have clubs, all functioning to advance the interests of home
and school.

As early
as 1900 the mothers of the Cadwalader School children had been meeting
occasionally with the teachers. At these sessions programs were presented
of benefit to both teacher and parent. Finally at the request of a number
of mothers, a formal organization was effected January 25, 1903, under
the leadership of Mrs. I. Henry Welling. The officers elected were:
Mrs. Welling, president; Mrs. Thomas Carey, first vice-president; Mrs.
Edward C. Stover, second vice-president; Mrs. Samuel D. Oliphant, Jr.,
secretary; and Mrs. Linton Satterthwaite, treasurer.

The parochial
schools have similar organizations. Mrs. Bernard McNally is president
of the (Trenton) Diocesan Council of Parents, with which the Catholic
parish schools of the city are affiliated.

THE MERCER COUNTY COUNCIL

The Mercer
County Council of the New Jersey Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher
Associations was officially organized at the Mott School March 1, 1917,
by Mrs. Wellington Bechtel, of Haddonfield, who was then State president
of the New Jersey Congress of Parents and Teach­ers. It had functioned
for two years before, having been started by Mrs. J. E. Van Home in
1915 in Princeton. Owing to a misunderstanding of State by-laws, its
official organization did not take place until 1917. In reality it was
the first County to organize.

Mrs. Van
Horne was elected president in 1917; Mrs. E. S. Willey, vice-chairman;
Mrs. Robert L. Pettit, secretary; and Mrs. James Mathis, treas­urer.
Mrs. Van Horne was followed by Mrs. Louis T. deValliere, who took office
on Armistice Day, served for six years and in 1924 became state president.
She was succeeded by Mrs. Robert L. Pettit, whose term was for four
years. Mrs. Charles W. Jones, the present president, was elected in
April 1928.

THE SYMPOSIUM - 1904

Formed
for the purpose of providing its members with an opportunity for discussion
of matters of current interest, The Symposium is today perhaps Trenton's
most intellectual club. Its purpose has been adhered to since it was
established in 1904, and although there has been a delight­ful social
side to its activity, this has been secondary to the more serious interest.

The
Rev. Hamilton Schuyler, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, was the
originator of the club and is the sole remaining charter member. A meeting
to form the club was held December 14, 1904, in the studio of Frederick
H. Clark, 143 East State Street.

It
was decided to meet at stated times, and in a social way "for the
discussion of such topics as pertain to the welfare, culture and happiness
of the people, particularly of this locality." It was also agreed
at a later date that the club should consist of not more than forty
members, who should be citizens or residents of Mercer County. Those
elected are not considered as having fully qualified for membership
until they have read a paper or made an address before the society.

The
Symposium meets monthly from October to May. For the early years meetings
were held in Mr. Clark's studio. The meetings are now held at The Contemporary.
An annual dinner is a feature of the May meeting.

Judge
Vroom was The .Symposium's first president; Dr. Green was vice-president;
and Frederick H. Clark, secretary and treasurer.

Although
the presidents and vice-presidents change yearly, The Symposium has
had but two secretary-treasurers, - Frederick H. Clark, who served from
1904 to 1917, and Librarian Howard L. Hughes, who has served from 1917
until the present time.

MAYOR'S CITIZENS' COMMITTEE

Out of the
adoption by Common Council in 1909 of the ordinance for a "Safe
and Sane .Fourth of July" grew the Mayor's Citizens' Committee.

This organization,
composed of fifty or more well-known men from all sections of the city,
is charged with staging the public observances of patriotic and other
occasions. In an informal way it serves the municipality as no branch
of the regular governmental machinery can do.

When Mayor
Walter F. Madden signed the "Safe and .Sane" ordinance, there
was immediate discussion of the way in which the city should cele­brate
the Fourth, since there could be no fireworks sold or privately shot
off. To solve the problem, and to arrange for some worthwhile program
which would satisfy the residents, Mayor Madden was directed by resolu­tion
January 18, 1910, to appoint a committee, which organized February 23,
1910. When the commission form of government came into effect, Mayor
Frederick W. Donnelly reappointed the Citizens' Committee and considerably
enlarged it.

Gradually
the activities of the Mayor's Committee were extended, until today the
group has charge of arranging practically all public functions when
requested to do so by the mayor.

For a number
of years the committee has conducted a ball Hallowe'en night in the
Armory, in an attempt to provide a proper celebration of this festival,
and to take off the city streets the irregular mobs and crowds which
used to hold disorderly processions, blocking traffic and annoying pedestrians.
A small fee has been charged for admission to the balls, and the proceeds
have been given each year to some of the city's worthy charities.

The Citizens'
Committee has also of late years represented the city offi­cially
in observance of Memorial Day and Armistice Day, cooperating with the
war veterans in carrying out the traditions.

Andrew J.
Berrien is now chairman of the committee and others who have served
in the same position include Colonel E. C. Stahl and J. Wiggans Thorn.

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS

Civic
pride, especially as it relates to an interest in the cleanliness, beauty
and order of the locality in which one lives was the basis for the establish­ment
of two community associations in Trenton. The oldest of these is the
Cadwalader Association, composed of residents and property owners in
the residential section which was formerly a part of the fine old estate
of the Cadwalader family, in the western end of the city. The other
is the North Trenton Improvement Association, composed of business men
and property owners of the section in the vicinity of the Battle Monument,
the "Five Points" region. These two associations have been
instrumental in pro­curing great benefits for their respective localities,
and indirectly of advantage to the city at large.

The
Cadwalader Association grew
out of an appeal of west-end residents to the city authorities for sprinkling
service for the streets in the summer. Unsuccessful in their efforts,
the residents decided to furnish their own facilities for sprinkling
the streets in the Cadwalader district. Louis G. Beers, Herbert N. Morse,
James G. .Lee, Clinton J. Swartz, William T. Furman and Edmund C. Hill
were the leaders in the project, and in March 1909 collected money from
the property owners for the service. This was followed by other services,
and today more than $3,000 has been collected for dust alleviation,
snow removal, care of vacant lots, purchase and erection of street signs,
the inauguration of a "Safe and Sane Fourth of July" and the
care of trees. Members of the association have advocated many improvements
of great public benefit, such as the enlargement of Cadwalader Park
by the purchase of land beyond Parkside Avenue, im­provements in
park property along the Delaware River, and increased light, police
and fire facilities.

The
North Trenton Improvement Association was
organized as the result of a controversy over the payment for lights
on the Battle Monument. For many years the top of the column has been
illuminated at night with thirteen electric lights, symbolic of the
thirteen Colonies. In 1922 State and city officials differed on the
question of responsibility for the electric current, and the lights
were shut off.

Incensed
by this action, prominent residents and business men formally organized
the North Trenton Improvement Association October 19, 1922. The first
officers were: Eugene F. Allfather, president; Charles Piper, vice-president;
and Harry J. Podmore, secretary-treasurer. Mr. Allfather has served
ever since as president.

General
civic betterment of the community is sought, as well as improve­ment
along business lines, and effort has been directed toward a better recognition
and appreciation of North Trenton's historical associations.

The
South Warren Street Business Men's Association was organized
in 1921 for the purpose of improving this section of the city as a business
center. John Thaler was the first president and Bernard E. Sweeney is
now serving in this office.

TRENTON GARDEN CLUB

While the
community associations have devoted themselves to the very practical
phases of community service, the garden societies have given their attention
to esthetic problems, and both directly and indirectly have done much
to make Trenton a more beautiful place. They have stimulated among residents
a desire to have and cultivate gardens of their own, whether large or
small, and due to their efforts there has been a notable increase in
the gardening hobby.

Trenton was
one of the first cities to have such an organization and the Garden
Club of Trenton was formed 1911, largely through the personal interest
and effort of Miss Mary Anna Hall and Miss Anne deB. McIlvaine. Mrs.
F. A. C. Perrine was the first president and Miss McIlvaine vice-president.

It has been
the practice of the Trenton Garden Club to hold informal shows annually
for their own members, and to bring to Trenton noted speakers on topics
dealing with gardens and horticulture. Some of these meetings have been
open to the public.

A few years
ago the Trenton Garden Club cooperated with the Trenton Dahlia Society
in staging a large spring flower show, the first of its kind in the
city. It was held in the Art Alliance Building, the former home of the
Trenton Banking Company, and members of the Art Alliance, then in ex­istence,
also assisted. Many amateurs exhibited and the splendid collection of
orchids assembled by the late Charles G. Roebling was also on display.

So successful
was the show and so great the public interest, that each year since
the Garden Club and the Dahlia Society have held fall flower shows,
in which there are hundreds of entries. The Garden Club has also entered
exhibits in the International Flower Show in New York City and in shows
held by garden clubs throughout the State. Besides its shows the Garden
Club has aided in protection of native plants and birds and en­couraged
civic planting.

The
Trenton Dahlia Society owes its existence to Mrs. Frieda Fisher, then
an amateur horticulturist and now one of the most widely known dahlia
specialists in the country and a member of the firm of Fisher &
Masson. In 1919 Mrs. Fisher gathered together a group of six dahlia
lovers, who cultivated this flower for love of it. They formed a dahlia
club at the first meeting in the late summer of 1919. John P. N. Seeger
was chosen president and Mrs. Fisher was elected secretary, a post which
she held for several years.

In
the autumn of 1919 the new society held its first flower show and annually
since then similar exhibits have been staged. Most of the entries in
these have been grown in small gardens, by amateurs, although many pro­fessionals
and expert growers have also exhibited.

Those
who have been president of the society are Mr. Seeger, Clarence W. Sparmaker,
Harold W. West, Frank J. Eppele, Henry C. Blackwell and Mrs. Horace
Mann.

About
five years ago, the Mercer County Dahlia Society merged with the Trenton
Dahlia Society, as its membership was dwindling and the remain­ing
members wished to stage flower shows which were shows and not mere window
displays. The Mercer County Dahlia Society was the first dahlia society
in the county and was originally known as the Sixth Ward Dahlia Society.
Its aim was to have a dahlia club in every ward, but this was not successful.
The old Sixth Ward club refused to accept members from other parts of
the city, and dahlia growers joined the Trenton Dahlia .Society. Later
the Sixth Ward club changed its name and accepted members from the entire
County.

ENGINEERS' CLUB OF TRENTON

For the mutual
benefit of members of the engineering profession in Trenton, the Engineers'
Club of Trenton was created in 1914, through the efforts of City Engineers
Joseph E. English and Alfred C. Gregory. At­tempts had been made
in previous years to form such a club, but none of them was successful
until Mr. English finally prevailed upon Mr. Gregory, because of his
wide acquaintance among engineers, to undertake the for­mation of
the society.

The club
was organized January 22, in the Chamber of Commerce rooms, and the
charter was signed by 102 qualified men.

Colonel Edwin
A. Stevens, then State road commissioner for New Jersey, was the first
president. He came of a line of famous engineers and inventors. He was
the son of Edwin Augustus Stevens, founder of Stevens Institute of Technology,
and a great‑grandson of John Stevens, a member of the first Federal
Congress and a pioneer in promoting early railroads in this country.

Colonel Washington
A. Roebling, a distinguished Trenton engineer, was elected to honorary
membership.

An outstanding
achievement of the club was the organization of Company C, to meet the
urgent need for a battalion of engineers for the State militia. After
organization, the company was stationed for a while in the Armory and
June 1, 1917, it was sent to Wrightstown to begin work of surveying
and mapping the site for what later became Camp Dix. The company accordingly
had the distinction of being the first troops stationed at the cantonment.
It sailed for France June 17, 1918, and saw active services. On May
22, 1919, the men of Company C returned to Hoboken, and were discharged
May 28 and 29.

KARL ROEBLING UNIT, STEUBEN SOCIETY

American
citizens of German descent, desiring to assist in civic betterment in
the United States, organized the Steuben Society May 1919. The name
was chosen in honor of Baron von Steuben.

The Trenton
unit was established in 1923, and is known as the Karl G. Roebling Unit
No. 393. It is named in honor of Karl G. Roebling, grandson of John
A. Roebling of this city. It began with a charter membership of 74.

A
loan exhibition of etchings and a lecture by George T. Plowman, etcher,
given under the auspices of The Contemporary in the auditorium of the
School of Industrial Arts, was the beginning of the Trenton Art Alliance.
So much interest was created by the exhibition and lecture that it was
decided by art lovers to form a society to stimulate a greater interest
in all branches of art and to foster both fine and industrial art in
this city.

During
its brief career, the Alliance presented Lorado Taft, American sculptor,
in a lecture, and Wallace Nutting in an illustrated talk; held exhibitions
of paintings by members of the faculty of the School of Industrial Arts
and by other artists; and staged a brilliant art and industry exhibition
in cooperation with the various civic organizations.

The
Art Alliance strongly advocated acquisition of the old bank building
once the home of the Trenton Banking Company, which is ideally arranged
for this purpose.

Handicapped
mainly by lack of modern gallery facilities, the Art Alliance finally
ceased to function, after only a few years of service.

TRENTON FAIR ART CLUB

When the
Art Alliance ended its career there was great disappointment among art
lovers, and it was felt that the interest which had been aroused should
be directed to some worthwhile and permanent end. With this idea in
mind, Colonel William E. Pedrick, Trenton artist, formed the Trenton
Fair Art Club, February 19, 1925. The purpose is to stimulate local
interest in fine arts and to accumulate a suitable collection of paintings
for a free public art museum in this city. The purchase of the canvases
is financed by money derived from the payment of membership dues. One
or more paintings or pieces of sculpture are selected each year from
an exhibition of contemporary art by the most distinguished artists
of the country, held at the Trenton Fair. These works are chosen by
a committee appointed for the purpose.

Membership
in the Trenton Fair Art Club has been open since the formation of the
society to any one interested in the aims of the organization.

Frank Forrest
Frederick, director of the School of Industrial Arts, was the first
president; J. Fred Margerum, vice-president; Miss Helen G. Laffan, treasurer;
and Colonel William E. Pedrick, secretary.

After the
death of Colonel Pedrick, Henry R. MacGinnis, head of the fine arts
department of the Art School, was elected secretary.

There are
now six canvases in the proposed municipal collection and among them
is one "The Sentinel" by Mr. Frederick, given to the Art Club
by him in memory of Colonel Pedrick. These pictures now hang in the
Trenton Public Library.

IX. The Luncheon Clubs

TRENTON
owes the first of its luncheon service clubs to a woman, Mrs. William
H. Atkinson, for it was largely through her interest and enthusiasm
based on observations in Philadelphia that the Trenton Rotary Club was
formed in 1914. Since then other clubs of a similar type have been established,
including one for women.

ROTARY - 1914

Trenton Rotary
had its beginning in the Atkinson home, on Centre Street, Mrs. Atkinson
having interested her husband in the idea of such a club for Trenton.
As a result, W. H. Atkinson, A. K. Leuckel, Charles E. Broughton, A.
Crozer Reeves, Charles F. Stout, and Arthur C. Metzger, then secretary
of the Chamber of Commerce, were invited to Philadelphia to attend a
meeting and learn more of the organization.

These six
men met again April 27, 1914, at dinner at the Atkinson home, when it
was decided to form a Trenton Rotary Club. Plans were made for an organization
meeting, each of the men agreeing to invite another guest. This second
meeting was a dinner session at Hildebrecht's. Formal organi­zation
took place a little later at a session at the Trenton House. Walter
F. Smith was the first president elected by Trenton Rotarians and the
other officers were Norman P. Stahl, vice-president, and Charles F.
Stout, secretary-treasurer.

Rotary has
been interested in many worthwhile projects, but none has won such popular
approval as the purchase of Rotary Island, formerly known as Park Island.
During the administration of William B. Maddock, the club began its
fine work for anemic children. The Trenton Times started the
purchase fund with a gift of $1,000 and Rotarians raised the balance
needed for the acquisition of the island. The buildings were all erected
through the generosity of material men of Trenton and the trade unionists,
who gave their labor without cost.

The Mercer
County Health League each year conducts a fresh air camp on the island,
where ill and anemic children, recommended by school author­ities
and physicians, are taken for vacations to recover their health.

KIWANIS - 1918

Kiwanis was
the second of the service clubs organized here. The pre­liminary
meeting was held March 6, 1918, at Hildebrecht's. The permanent organization
was effected May 15, 1918. John L. Power was elected president; Joseph
B. Hottel, vice-president; H. M. Van Slyke, secretary; Fred C. Beans,
financial secretary; Henry Cook, treasurer; and Frank A. Hazen, W. J.
Meloney, A. C. Nevins, P. J. Morgan, H. A. Hulslander and William E.
Blackman, directors. Men who have served Kiwanis as president since
then are: Joseph B. Hottel, George E. Hoffman, William E. Blackman,
William K. Hoyt, Carl K. Withers, John E. Gill, Fred C. Beans, Frank
J. Eppele, Paul G. Duryea and Dr. David F. Weeks.

Trenton Kiwanis
Club has been especially interested in boys. In 1920, Mr. Hoffman, then
president, proposed that the club should guarantee the financial requirements
of the Boy Scout organization in Trenton, which was then in considerable
need. It was decided to present the aims of the Boy Scouts and their
needs to the public, and then to make a campaign for contributions.
This proved to be a great success, and each year since Kiwanis has held
a drive for funds for the Trenton Boy Scouts.

Not content
with this, Kiwanis aided in the purchase of a camp site for the Scout
organization. This is a tract of 1,450 acres near the Delaware Water
Gap, bought May 27, 1925.

Of the original
payment of $5,000, there was $l,000 from the Trenton Times,
$2,000 from Kiwanians, $500 from Rotarians and $1,500 from other public-spirited
citizens.

LIONS - 1921

The Trenton
Lions Club was organized in 1921 by Counsellor Hervey S. Moore. At the
organization meeting, Mr. Moore was elected president and then reelected
for a second term. Those who have followed him in this position are
T. Arthur Karno, Godfrey W. Schroth, Jr., William A. Schlegel, William
R. Ward and Dr. Robert H. Conover.

Among the
Lions Club's most distinctive and successful undertakings are the musical
contests conducted annually under its auspices since 1924. The purposes
of these contests are to spur young musicians to higher artistic attainments,
to give unknown local talent an opportunity to appear in public under
favorable auspices, and generally to foster an interest in musical education
and culture, and in these respects they have been remarkably successful.
They have brought forth much local talent that other­wise would
never have had an opportunity to reveal itself. In the first four years,
several of the successful candidates of conspicuous ability but limited
means were able to use their success as a passport to auditions which
led to the award of free scholarships at famous musical institutions.

The annual
awards are the gifts of the late Godfrey W. Schroth, one of the leading
musicians and composers in the history of music in Trenton. The competitions
are conducted under rules and regulations fairly designed to further
their purpose and spirit. Eminent out-of-town musicians are annually
engaged by the Lions to serve as judges and many artists of national
repute have already acted in this capacity.

EXCHANGE - 1923

A charter
was granted by the national organization to the Exchange Club of Trenton
in June 1923. At that date George A. Katzenbach was elected president;
Frederic R. Brace, first vice-president; Robert C. Bel­ville, 3rd,
second vice-president; and Donald M. Foster, secretary-treasurer.

Through
the efforts of former State Senator Barton B. Hutchinson and Warren
G. Donaldson, the Civitan Club of Trenton was formed. At a meeting held
June 25, 1923, Mr. Donaldson was elected temporary president. He served
until the organization meeting July 24, when Mr. Hutchinson was chosen
as president for 1923-24. Mr. Donaldson then became vice-president.

Members
elected to the board of directors were Albert G. Wesley, Andrew J. Berrien,
Dr. C. J. Craythorne, William Peacock and Thomas A. Major. Mr. Hutchinson
was succeeded in the presidency by James W. Edgerton, James C. C. Patterson
and Frank E. Matthews.

The
Civitan Club has been concerned with civic matters and citizens' military
training camps. The promotion of good citizenship is the most important
object of all Civitan Clubs, and in carrying out this idea members of
the Trenton club have given unusual assistance to the Mayor's Citizens'
Committee. Nearly all of the Civitan clubmen are members of this committee,
and all have assisted in its various undertakings.

In
connection with the citizens military training camps, endorsed by the
national organization, Trenton Civitans have awarded medals for high
standing to men at the various camps in New Jersey and have encouraged
an interest in these organizations.

QUOTA - 1924

In
addition to the various service clubs established by men, there is one,
the Quota Club, which has a membership composed exclusively of women.
This was organized March 1924, by Miss Dorothy Doranz, a Trenton lawyer,
with the assistance of the Philadelphia Quota Club.

The
purpose of the club is to bring together women who are practising a
profession, who own their own business or who hold an executive position
in a firm or corporation. The club plans to promote friendliness among
business women; to enlarge their acquaintance; to quicken their interest
in public welfare; and to cooperate with others in civic development.

To
develop high ideals and civic consciousness, the American Business Club
of Trenton was organized January 16, 1926. Ernest Kerr was first president;
Dr. Edward J. Jennings, first vice-president; William Lee, sec­ond
vice-president; John Egan, secretary; and William Matlack, treasurer.
Other presidents have been Roy Brown, Walter Short, George Geiger 2nd
Harvey Knight.